A circuit-wide power failure brought Formula 1 pre-season testing to an abrupt halt on the first day in Bahrain.
The outage struck the Bahrain International Circuit during what had been a smooth day of testing.
Teams were plunged into darkness as electrical systems failed across the track and in team garages.
Safety concerns prompted officials to red flag the session with nearly two hours of testing still remaining.
A circuit-wide power failure brought Formula 1 pre-season testing to an abrupt halt on the first day in Bahrain
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The power cut affected the floodlights that had been illuminating the circuit as daylight began to fade.
The power outage occurred around 2pm UK time, which was approximately 5pm local time in Bahrain.
At this point in the day, floodlights were being used to improve visibility as the sun began to set.
The FIA confirmed that safety concerns prompted the red flag decision.
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#F1TESTING DAY 1: MORNING SESSION 👀
A strong start from 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli #F1 pic.twitter.com/wQZXCXLTO6
— Formula 1 (@F1) February 26, 2025
The second four-hour testing session was halted with just under two hours remaining on the clock.
Electrical systems failed throughout the circuit, affecting both the track lighting and team facilities.
What had been a productive day of testing was suddenly interrupted as darkness descended on the desert circuit.
Television footage showed team personnel scrambling to find torches to work on their cars in the darkened garages.
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Mercedes driver George Russell described his experience on track as the lights went out.
“I was coming out of the pits and I was like, ‘It’s suddenly quite dark out here’,” he said.
Russell revealed he initially thought he needed to change his visor.
“I radioed to say I needed to change my visor, and I realised that there was no floodlights around,” he explained.
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The British driver added: “Would have been a bit hectic if this was an hour later when the sun had already set!”
Many drivers appeared amused by the unusual situation.
Russell also spoke about life at Mercedes following Lewis Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari.
“Naturally, it does feel different, of course,” he said.
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“Lewis is such a huge personality on and off the track.
“But I think everybody within the team is sort of very much excited for this next chapter, really.”