Sky Sports F1 confirms Bahrain test broadcast change

Sky Sports F1 will deviate from its recent pre-season coverage format by broadcasting only the final hour of each day's track action from the first Bahrain test, followed by dedicated evening recap shows. This streamlined approach mirrors the schedule set by F1's own TV service and limits the live window for fans to assess the new cars.

Why it matters:

The change significantly reduces the amount of live, unfiltered running that fans can watch from a crucial testing period where teams first reveal their true performance. With teams historically using different run plans and fuel loads, the limited broadcast window makes it harder for observers to draw concrete conclusions, placing greater emphasis on the evening analysis programs.

The details:

• The first pre-season test in Bahrain runs from February 11-13.
• Live Coverage: Sky will air only the final hour of track action each day, starting at 15:00 GMT.
• Evening Analysis: A 'Testing Wrap' show will air at 20:00 GMT, followed by the fan-favorite 'Ted's Testing Notebook' with Ted Kravitz at 20:30 GMT.
• This schedule aligns with the confirmed broadcast plan for F1 TV.
• The earlier Barcelona shakedown was a private event with no media coverage, making Bahrain the first public glimpse of the new cars.

What's next:

The broadcast schedule for the second and final pre-season test in Bahrain, scheduled for February 18-20, has not yet been announced. Teams will use these six total days of testing to gather critical data on their radically new cars under fresh technical regulations before the season opener.