Bahrain F1 test red-flagged due to power outage

Follow live text coverage of the Bahrain pre-season test here.

The second session on the opening day of 2025 Formula 1 pre-season testing has been suspended due to a power cut at the Bahrain International Circuit.

The issue struck just past 5pm local time, with a little under two hours remaining.

Floodlights around the track went out as dusk descended, with power lost in the pitlane and in paddock buildings too.

It is not yet clear what caused the failure or how long it might take to restore power.

Bahrain circuit officials are currently investigating the issue, but F1 officials initially had no comment to make on the cause of the problem.

The power cut struck with many cars on track, which created striking images as they circulated just as the huge circuit spotlights went out.

Generators to keep tyres warm during power failure

Photo by: Alex Kalinauckas

But with the track marshalling and timing systems down as a result of the power cut, they were quickly called back to the pits by the red flag.

The session had already been taking place in rare overcast, cold and gloomy conditions in Bahrain.

Sone power systems have remained online – with emergency lighting in paddock buildings staying on and TV broadcasts still in operation. These are not currently being relayed to circuit TV screens.

As the outage approached nearly 30 minutes in duration, FIA officials confirmed to Autosport then was still no suggestion power would be restored soon.

It is understood that the issue has struck the entire local area of south Bahrain island that surrounds the desert track.

In anticipation of the track action eventually resuming, teams used generators they take to the grid ahead of races to keep tyre sets warm.