F1 testing 2021: Schedule and who's driving in the Bahrain test
Formula 1 teams will be on-track together the first time in 2021 this week with the start of pre-season testing in Bahrain. Find out which driver is testing when during the three-day test.
The Bahrain International Circuit will host the sole collective test ahead of the new season, which will take place across three days from Friday March 12 to Sunday March 14.
While most teams have already completed a shakedown with their new cars, limited to 100km, Bahrain will mark the first opportunity to give them an extensive run-out ahead of the new season.
Only three teams are entering 2021 with the same driver line-up as last year, meaning a number of drivers will spend the test getting used to their new surroundings and working with new faces, adding to the importance of the test.
Most teams will look to split running between its two race drivers for the coming season, handing them 1.5 days each in the car, but Williams has already confirmed one day of its running will be given to development driver Roy Nissany.
Some teams will look to split each day in half, allowing its drivers to run on all three days, while others are giving its drivers one full day each.
Bahrain F1 pre-season testing - Team by team
| Friday | Saturday | Sunday | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes |
|
| TBC |
| Red Bull |  Max Verstappen |  Sergio Perez | Sergio Perez (AM) Max Verstappen (PM) |
| McLaren |
|
|
|
| Aston Martin |
|
|
|
| Alpine |  Esteban Ocon |  Fernando Alonso |
|
| Ferrari |
|
| TBC |
| AlphaTauri |
|
|
|
| Alfa Romeo |
|
|
|
| Haas |
|
|
|
| Williams |
|  Nicholas Latifi |  George Russell |
Valtteri Bottas (AM)
Lewis Hamilton (PM)
Daniel Ricciardo (AM)
Sebastian Vettel (AM)
Lance Stroll (PM)
Charles Leclerc (AM)
Yuki Tsunoda (PM)
Kimi Raikkonen (AM)
Antonio Giovinazzi (PM)
Nikita Mazepin (PM)
Roy Nissany
When are the testing sessions?
Testing last year took place over six days in Barcelona, but the freeze in the regulations due to the COVID-19 pandemic prompted F1 to cut back to three days for 2021. It means there is a more limited window to get up to speed, resolve any issues that may arise and gauge the quality of the competition.
Each day will be split into early and late sessions in Bahrain, taking place from 10:00 to 14:00 and 15:00 to 19:00 local time respectively.
It maintains the typical eight hours of on-track running that teams got per day when testing took place in Barcelona.
A new element for testing will be that it finishes after sunset, which takes place in Bahrain around 17:45 each day currently. The track is fitted with floodlights used for the grand prix, ensuring conditions will still be usable for teams and drivers.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF1000 with aero sensors
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
Related video
Previous article
How Aston Martin has moved on from Mercedes clone controversy
Next article
Bond, ballet and hackers: Who won F1's launch season?
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Event | Bahrain March testing |
| Author | Luke Smith |
How Do Drivers Stay Fit For F1 Grand Prix?
Ronnie Peterson and Jochen Rindt Tribute
#ThinkingForward with Juan Pablo Montoya
The themes to watch in F1's Imola return
Three weeks is a long time in Formula 1, but in the reshaped start to the 2021 season the teams head to Imola to pick things up after the frenetic Bahrain opener. Here's what to look out for and the developments to follow at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
The 'new' F1 drivers who need to improve at Imola
After a pandemic-hit winter of seat-swapping, F1 kicked off its season with several new faces in town, other drivers adapting to new environments, and one making a much-anticipated comeback. Ben Anderson looks at who made the most of their opportunity and who needs to try harder…
The delay that quashed Aston Martin’s last F1 venture
Aston Martin’s only previous foray into Formula 1 in the late 1950s was a short-lived and unsuccessful affair. But it could have been so different, says Nigel Roebuck.
Verstappen exclusive: Why lack of titles won't hurt Red Bull's ace
Max Verstappen’s star quality in Formula 1 is clear. Now equipped with a Red Bull car that is, right now, the world title favourite and the experience to support his talent, could 2021 be the Dutchman’s year to topple the dominant force of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes?
Is Formula 1 as good as it has ever been now?
For many, many years Formula 1 has strived to do and to be better on all fronts. With close competition, a growing fanbase, a stable political landscape and rules in place to encourage sustainability, 2021 is on course to provide an unexpected peak
How Williams’ new structure adheres to a growing F1 trend
Williams held out against the tide for many years but, as MARK GALLAGHER explains, the age of the owner-manager is long gone
When a journeyman driver's F1 career lasted just 800m
Nikita Mazepin’s Formula 1 debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix lasted mere corners before he wiped himself out in a shunt, but his financial backing affords him a full season. Back in 1993 though, Marco Apicella was an F1 driver for just 800m before a first corner fracas ended his career. Here’s the story of his very short time at motorsport’s pinnacle.
How Raikkonen's rapid rise stalled his teammate's F1 career climb
Kimi Raikkonen's emergence as a Formula 1 star in his rookie campaign remains one of the legendary storylines from 2001, but his exploits had an unwanted impact on his Sauber teammate's own prospects. Twenty years on from his first F1 podium at the Brazilian GP, here's how Nick Heidfeld's career was chilled by the Iceman.
