Sauber and Racing Bulls ready for F1 testing at Imola

The Formula 1 teams Sauber and Racing Bulls will launch their 2025 campaigns with a series of multi-day tests at Imola this week.

Tests in Imola

Racing Bulls will head to the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix circuit for three days of testing with a former [TPC] car. The team’s 2025 drivers, Yuki Tsunoda and rookie Isack Hadjar, will drive the 2023 AT04, inherited from the AlphaTauri era. Ayumu Iwasa will also take to the track on the third day.

After their Tuesday session, the Racing Bulls team will be joined on the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari by Sauber, who will use the 2022 C42 for their new driver duo, Nico Hülkenberg and F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto.

Nico Hülkenberg and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto will be on track on Wednesday and Thursday, having already made contact with their new team during the post-season tests in Abu Dhabi last December. Rain is forecasted for Wednesday and Thursday, which could disrupt the tests but would also offer 2025 rookies Isack Hadjar and Gabriel Bortoleto a valuable experience driving an F1 car in the rain.

Starting this year, testing with an older car—at least two years old—is limited to 1000 km and four days for regular Grand Prix drivers. This FIA regulation aims to prevent teams from using these tests for current developments rather than for training young drivers, as originally intended.

Meanwhile, in Italy, Lewis Hamilton made his first public appearance at Ferrari on Monday, as part of an extended visit to Maranello to get acquainted with his new team. After numerous presentations and meetings, Lewis Hamilton began working in the simulator and adjusting his seat.

He is expected to make his test debut for Ferrari on Wednesday at the Fiorano test track, driving the 2022 F1-75, accompanied by his new teammate, Charles Leclerc.

Read also: The official grid for the 2025 F1 season