Formula 1 testing kicks off tomorrow with all 10 teams putting their 2025 cars through their paces at Bahrain International Circuit before the season officially starts in Melbourne on March 14-16.
This testing period is crucial for teams and drivers to adjust to new improvements and get comfortable before real competition begins.
Williams team principal James Vowles didn’t sugarcoat his thoughts about testing during the F1 75 live event in London last week.
"I don’t think anyone will walk away from Bahrain with confidence. And that’s great. That’s what we want in the sport," Vowles told GPblog and other media.
He added: "I can’t predict who’s going to win the championship or how the midfield will shake out. That’s what I want out of the sport."
The team has only completed a basic shakedown at Silverstone so far, which Vowles admits doesn’t reveal much about performance.
Williams enters 2025 with high hopes after signing Carlos Sainz, who joins after four seasons with Ferrari. The proven race winner brings valuable experience to the team.
Sainz will partner with Alex Albon as Williams aims to climb up the grid in what’s a make-or-break year before the massive regulation changes coming in 2026.
When might fans get a clear picture of where each team stands?
Don’t hold your breath for testing to provide definitive answers.
"I’m afraid, it’s not till qualifying in Melbourne that anyone will know where the order is," Vowles explained.
The team’s recent Silverstone shakedown went smoothly, with Vowles noting the car "was reliable and left the garage on the minute we wanted it to."
But the real pecking order remains a mystery until the cars hit the track for real in Australia.
