2025 Formula 1 Testing
Welcome to a centralized thread to track and document Formula 1 testing stories and data for 2025.
About this thread
Motivation
I've been digging around for stories and data on past Formula 1 testing seasons from the late 1980s and early 1990s, and it's been awesome! I've found all these old threads and articles, and I've learned so much about all the drivers, engine and chassis combos, and prototype concepts that people don't really talk about anymore. It's been fun to see what they were trying out back then when track running was very lightly regulated and unrestricted.
Status Quo
With all the tight rules around track testing in Formula 1 these days, it's hard to keep up with what's going on. There aren't many places to find info specifically about F1 testing and figuring out when and what teams are running is a real headache for fans and those not in the know.
But hey, we're expecting more Testing Previous Cars (TPC) activities this season with all the driver changes and new rookie drivers coming in. Plus, 2026 mule cars have already started tire testing, and engine testing for 2026 should kick off soon. We might even see the Cadillac team gearing up for their big debut and their car hitting the track sometime in late 2025 as they get ready for 2026. So, having a dedicated thread to follow all the action seems like a good idea once again.
Making Sense of the 2025 F1 testing regulations
The regulations regarding Formula 1 track running outside of a grand prix weekend have changed massively since the late 1980’s, 1990’s, and early 2000’s when teams were often testing between grand prix weekends in multiple locations with multiple test teams and drivers concurrently.
I have taken a deep dive of the 2025 sporting regulations and deciphered as best I can the following 6 types of track running outside of Grand Prix weekends that are permitted under the current 2025 sporting regulations.
Summary of Non-Competition Permitted Track Running Time
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Testing of Current Cars (TCC)
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Purpose: Testing and development of cars currently used in the championship.
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Cars Allowed: Current cars, and in specific cases Previous and Mule cars.
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Circuits: Primarily European circuits, with exceptions.
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Restrictions: Specific ECU, fuel handling procedures, and other safety regulations.
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Examples: Pre-season private collective testing, public collective testing, post-season testing, out-of-competition tire testing, and substitute driver testing.
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Testing of Previous Cars (TPC)
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Purpose: Testing using cars from the previous three calendar years.
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Cars Allowed: Previous cars with period-specific components and software.
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Circuits: FIA Grade 1 or 1T licensed circuits
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Restrictions: Limited to 20 days and 1000 kilometers per year for championship drivers, specific ECU, and specific tires. Restrictions based on upcoming competitions and circuit modifications such as; TPC may not take place on a circuit hosting a competition in the championship in the 60 days prior to the start of the relevant competition in the championship. Additionally, it is not allowed to run at a circuit hosting a competition in the current years championship that wasn't raced at in the previous years championship OR has been significantly modified from the previous years event (prevents unfair track familiarization prior to the event).
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Examples: Driver familiarization running e.g. Lewis Hamilton, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, running TPC for team and car systems familiarization.
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Testing of Historic Cars (THC)
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Purpose: Heritage and exhibition runs for cars older than those allowed in TPC.
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Cars Allowed: Historic cars with period-specific construction.
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Restrictions: Specific tires.
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Examples: Sky F1 filming of Martin Brundle testing a 1996 Williams Renault at Silverstone.
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TCC Promotional Events (PE)
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Purpose: Marketing and promotional activities.
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Cars Allowed: Current cars.
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Restrictions: Limited to 200km per event, specific ECU, and specific tires.
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Examples: Filming days
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Demonstration Events (DE)
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Purpose: Purely demonstrational runs.
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Cars Allowed: Current or previous cars.
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Restrictions: Limited mileage (15km for current cars, 50km for previous cars), specific ECU, and specific tires.
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Examples: Goodwood Festival of Speed hill demonstration run.
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Testing of Mule Cars (TMC)
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Purpose: Testing of future tire designs or FIA components and systems.
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Cars Allowed: Modified cars (Mule Cars), Current Cars, and Previous Cars, adapted for testing purposes.
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Circuits: FIA Grade 1 or 1T licensed tracks.
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Restrictions: Specific modifications allowed, specific ECU, fuel-handling procedures, and other safety regulations.
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Examples: 2026 tire testing, 2026 PU testing, etc
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Edited by EvilPhil II, 02 February 2025 - 18:30.
