The Sakhir circuit joined the F1 calendar in 2004, and has been used for pre-season testing since 2021. The track is considered a good choice for testing primarily because of its balanced layout.

Before 2021, up to $400 million was spent on the construction and development of a top-level F1 car, per Motorsport Magazine. The cost cap was then reduced significantly to $145 million in 2021.

who previously worked as race engineer to Sainz (2021-24) and four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel (2015-20), had been widely expected to be the voice in Hamilton’s ear from F1 2025.