Streaming F1 Bahrain Testing 2024 Live - Ultimate Guide

Pre-season testing is a critical juncture for Formula 1 teams and drivers, offering a sneak peek into what the upcoming season holds.

The 2024 F1 pre-season is on the horizon, with Max Verstappen and his fellow competitors gearing up for crucial test days. This period offers a glimpse into the potential of new cars and the teams' preparations.

Key Takeaways:

• Three days of intensive testing at the Sakhir International Circuit in Bahrain provide teams with valuable insights into their new cars' performance.
• All F1 teams and drivers, including stars like Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, will participate, testing speed, reliability, and the balance of their cars.
• Fans have the unique opportunity to watch these test days in person, a rare chance to see the teams' preparations up close.

As the 2024 Formula 1 season edges closer, the motorsport community buzzes with anticipation for the upcoming pre-season test days.

What Is Pre-Season Testing?

This pivotal phase in the F1 calendar is not just a series of practice runs; it's a critical period where teams and drivers lay the groundwork for the competitive year ahead. The Sakhir International Circuit in Bahrain, known for its challenging conditions and as the traditional venue for the season opener, will once again host this crucial event from Wednesday, 21 February, through Friday, 23 February.

During these three days, teams will dive deep into the capabilities of their new vehicles, exploring every facet of performance from speed and reliability to the nuanced balance between the two. This period is invaluable for teams to experiment with configurations, integrate new components, and allow drivers to adapt to their machines' nuances. The goal is clear: to gather as much data as possible to refine and perfect the cars before the first race.

How to Watch the 2024 F1 Pre-Season Testing

Here's how you can catch all the action from the 2024 F1 pre-season testing:

Pre-Season Testing Schedule: 

The 2024 F1 pre-season testing is scheduled to take place from Wednesday, February 21 to Friday, February 23. The sessions are divided into morning and afternoon segments, running from:

• Morning Session: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM local time
• Lunch Break: 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM local time
• Afternoon Session: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM local time

1. F1TV Pro:
The official streaming service of Formula 1, F1TV Pro, offers comprehensive live coverage of pre-season testing. Subscribers can watch every lap live, along with team radio communications, onboard cameras, and live timing data. F1TV Pro is the go-to option for hardcore F1 fans looking for the most detailed coverage of pre-season testing.

2. Sports Broadcasters:
Depending on your location, various sports broadcasters around the world have the rights to show F1 content, including pre-season testing. In the UK, Sky Sports F1 will be broadcasting live coverage and highlights of the tests. Check with your local sports channels for their F1 pre-season testing schedule.

3. Online Streaming Services:
Several online streaming platforms that carry sports channels also provide access to F1 pre-season testing. Services like NOW TV in the UK, ESPN+ in the USA, and DAZN in certain territories offer sports packages that include F1 coverage. These platforms often provide flexible, no-contract options for fans.

4. F1 Social Media and Official Website:
While not a live broadcast, Formula 1's official social media channels and website (formula1.com) are excellent sources for real-time updates, highlights, and behind-the-scenes content during pre-season testing. These platforms offer free access to interviews, analysis, and key moments from the track.

5. Viaplay and Other Regional Services:
In regions covered by Viaplay, such as certain parts of Europe, fans can watch pre-season testing live. Viaplay holds broadcasting rights for F1 in multiple territories and provides comprehensive coverage of all sessions.

Tips for Watching:

• Check the Schedule: Pre-season testing usually takes place over three days. Make sure to check the exact dates and session times, which can vary each year, to plan your viewing accordingly.
• Subscription Services: If you're considering subscribing to a service like F1TV Pro or another streaming platform for pre-season testing, look out for any free trials or promotional offers.
• Local Coverage: Some countries may have free-to-air highlights or delayed broadcasts of testing sessions. Check local listings for more information.

Time Zones

• Los Angeles (PST):
  • Morning Session: 23:00 (Feb 20) to 02:00 (Feb 21)
  • Afternoon Session: 03:00 to 06:00 (Feb 21)
• New York (EST):
  • Morning Session: 02:00 to 05:00 (Feb 21)
  • Afternoon Session: 06:00 to 09:00 (Feb 21)
• London (GMT):
  • Morning Session: 07:00 to 10:00 (Feb 21)
  • Afternoon Session: 11:00 to 14:00 (Feb 21)
• Berlin/Paris/Rome/Madrid (CET):
  • Morning Session: 08:00 to 11:00 (Feb 21)
  • Afternoon Session: 12:00 to 15:00 (Feb 21)
• Moscow (MSK):
  • Morning Session: 10:00 to 13:00 (Feb 21)
  • Afternoon Session: 14:00 to 17:00 (Feb 21)
• Dubai (+04):
  • Morning Session: 11:00 to 14:00 (Feb 21)
  • Afternoon Session: 15:00 to 18:00 (Feb 21)
• Tokyo (JST):
  • Morning Session: 16:00 to 19:00 (Feb 21)
  • Afternoon Session: 20:00 to 23:00 (Feb 21)
• Sydney (AEDT):
  • Morning Session: 18:00 (Feb 21) to 21:00
  • Afternoon Session: 22:00 to 01:00 (Feb 22)

The Structure Of The Week

Each day's sessions are meticulously planned, with drivers allowed to complete an unlimited number of laps from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. This rigorous schedule is split into morning and afternoon sessions, ensuring teams maximise their track time to test various strategies under different conditions.

The line-up for these test days reads like a who's who of Formula 1, featuring all the teams and their drivers for the 2024 season. High-profile teams like Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari, along with their star drivers such as Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, and Charles Leclerc, will be closely watched as they unveil their cars' latest developments and changes after the Winter break. 

Teams and Drivers for the 2024 F1 Season

• Red Bull Racing
  • Max Verstappen
  • Sergio Pérez
• Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team
  • Lewis Hamilton
  • George Russell
• Scuderia Ferrari
  • Charles Leclerc
  • Carlos Sainz
• McLaren F1 Team
  • Lando Norris
  • Oscar Piastri
• Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team
  • Fernando Alonso
  • Lance Stroll
• BWT Alpine F1 Team
  • Esteban Ocon
  • Pierre Gasly
• Williams Racing
  • Alexander Albon
  • Logan Sargeant
• Scuderia AlphaTauri (rebranded as VISA Cash App RB for 2024)
  • Yuki Tsunoda
  • Daniel Ricciardo
• Alfa Romeo Racing (rebranded as Stake F1 Team for 2024)
  • Valtteri Bottas
  • Guanyu Zhou
• Haas F1 Team
• Nico Hülkenberg
• Kevin Magnussen

What To Look Out For

As the 2024 Formula 1 season gears up, fans and teams alike are poised for a thrilling start with several key developments shaping the landscape of the sport. The stability in driver line-ups, with no changes from the previous season, sets a unique precedent for continuity and competition. 

For the first time in Formula 1 history, every driver who concluded the last season will return with their respective teams, including Daniel Ricciardo taking a full-time seat following his mid-season replacement of Nyck de Vries the previous year. This stability extends to reserve drivers, although McLaren has introduced changes in their reserve line-up. Out goes Alex Palou, and in his place, McLaren has brought in fellow IndyCar racer Pato O'Ward and Toyota World Endurance Championship racer and Le Mans 24 Hours winner Ryo Hirakawa.

On the team front, notable changes include Red Bull’s second team transitioning to a new identity under the name 'Visa Cash App RB', and Alfa Romeo's rebranding to 'Stake F1 Team' under the Sauber banner.

The 2024 season boasts a record 24 grands prix, including the return of the Chinese Grand Prix and the reinstatement of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola. Notably, the season will feature races on Saturdays for the first time since 1985 (ignoring Vegas, of course), adjusting for the Ramadan period.

From a technical standpoint, the regulations remain largely unchanged, but the introduction of a 'driver cooling scoop' and continued development on reducing spray in wet conditions marks any minor changes.

Red Bull will be wanting to continue the dominance it saw throughout 2023. And if the reports are true, they could be doing this with a significant change to their aerodynamic concept, taking design elements from the likes of Mercedes, who, coincidentally, are moving more towards a more Red Bull-shaped machine. 

Aston Martin, Ferrari, and McLaren are also teams to watch, with each of them edging towards the performance of the Milton Keynes car towards the end of last year. They'll be hoping they've not only made a significant jump in development during the Winter break, but that they can utilise it off the simulator.