F1 2025 pre-season testing recap

This year's pre season testing traditionally took place in Bahrain over three days, with teams completing a total of 3,896 laps, covering 21,085 km. Carlos Sainz set the fastest time of the whole test on the second day.

Car reliability remained high throughout the test, with no red flags caused by teams or drivers. Although there were minor incidents such as off-track excursions and spins, none required the sessions to be stopped. However, testing was briefly interrupted by unexpected issues, including a power outage, broken glass on the main straight, and even a bus appearing on the track.

Mercedes covered the most distance, completing 2,479 km—equivalent to more than eight race distances—while Red Bull recorded the lowest mileage, covering 1,645 km, or just over five races. Among the drivers, Esteban Ocon completed the most laps with 260, while Lance Stroll logged the fewest, partly due to illness on Friday. Among the rookies, Isack Hadjar impressed by completing 243 laps, ranking second overall in total mileage.

With testing now complete, teams will analyse the gathered data and make final adjustments ahead of the season opener in Australia.

READ MORE: What we actually learned from 2025 F1 pre-season testing

Who is actually the fastest heading into the 2025 season, who is struggling and who has still has a lot of work to do?

First MotoGP race weekend

The 2025 MotoGP season kicked off with the Thailand Grand Prix at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, where Marc Marquez delivered a dominant performance throughout the weekend.

In qualifying, Marquez secured pole position with a blistering lap of 1:28.782, marking a strong debut with the Ducati Lenovo Team. His brother, Alex Marquez, lined up alongside him in second, while reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia completed an all-Ducati front row.

The sprint race saw Marc Marquez lead from start to finish, securing victory ahead of Alex Marquez, with Bagnaia once again taking third place. The main race mirrored the sprint, with Marc Marquez taking a commanding win, followed by his brother Alex and Bagnaia, completing another Ducati 1-2-3.

With a perfect weekend, Marquez now leads the championship standings, establishing himself as an early title contender in his first full season on a factory Ducati.

Monaco Grand Prix to have mandatory two pit stops

The World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) has approved a mandatory two-stop rule for the Monaco Grand Prix to make the race more exciting and less predictable.

The decision follows a series of uneventful races, including last year’s, which saw just four on-track overtakes. An early red flag also allowed teams to change tyres under caution, reducing strategic variety. The new rule, which applies in all weather conditions, requires teams to make at least two pit stops and use at least three sets of tyres. In dry conditions, they must also run two different compounds.

The aim is to encourage varied strategies, create more battles, and produce unpredictable results. With this change now approved, organisers hope to restore fan interest in the iconic event.

Jorge Martin confirmed to miss another Grand Prix

Reigning MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin has been forced to delay his return to racing after breaking his hand in a training accident, ruling him out of next month's Argentina Grand Prix.

MotoGP's chief doctor, Angel Charte, confirmed that Martin's recovery from his left-hand fracture has been slower than expected, meaning his much-anticipated debut with Aprilia will now take place at the US Grand Prix in Austin at earliest.

Despite the injury, Martin remains in good spirits. However, doctors are taking a cautious approach to ensure the scaphoid bone heals properly, as improper healing could lead to long-term issues. A fitness test will be conducted before Texas to determine whether he is ready to race.