Alpine is the latest to complete a shakedown and showcase its 2025 F1 car in Bahrain, where it joined Aston Martin and Haas running two days ahead of the pre-season test.
After the livery was revealed in a group launch in London, F1 teams have taken different approach to present their 2025 cars. Some have gone for shakedown/filming days to show their new car, while some have opted for an online launch which is followed by a shakedown in few days time.
Aston Martin presented their new car on Sunday night and followed it up with a shakedown on Monday at Bahrain International Circuit with both Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso getting to drive the AMR25. The Canadian had the first go, and he was followed up by the Spaniard in the afternoon to end their day.
After Haas fielded Esteban Ocon in a filming run at Silverstone, they had Oliver Bearman drive the VF-25 in Bahrain. While there was confirmation about these two F1 teams undertaking a filming run, but Alpine too had their outing as they also revealed their 2025 car for the first time in the flesh.
Both Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan got the chance to drive the A525 in Bahrain. The French outfit joined the likes of McLaren, Haas, Aston Martin, Visa Cash App RB, Ferrari and Williams in filming run, leaving only Mercedes, Red Bull and Sauber to undertake one, with the former two due to run on Tuesday.
“It is a great feeling to be back on track and driving the A525 for the first time,” said Gasly. “Congratulations to everyone who has contributed to this car and all the hard work that has gone into preparing this season. It is only a shakedown, limited running, so it’s not like we are driving the car at its full potential but the initial feeling felt smooth and I am just looking forward to getting going and having a proper run later this week for official pre-season testing. I must say, the new colours look really cool so I hope everyone enjoys seeing the A525 in action.”
Doohan stated: “We have had a good first day on-track here in Bahrain and I am sure everyone at the team feels really excited to be back and ready now to start the season. It is my first time driving a shakedown day so a great experience, especially driving on track with the filming vehicles!
“The car felt good so thanks to everyone at Enstone and Viry-Châtillon for their time and dedication in getting ready for 2025. I know Pierre and I are really excited for Wednesday and beginning pre-season testing. It will be three busy days where we have many things to run through in order to develop the A525 ahead of the season start.”
And Oliver Oakes added: “It is always a moment of pride when a new car goes on track for the first time so well done to everyone at Enstone and Viry-Châtillon for their hard work in developing the A525 ahead of this season. Despite the overcast and strong gusts of wind, we have had a good day’s running in Bahrain with 200km completed split evenly between Pierre and Jack.
“It is important to give them a first go each and allow them both to have a first feeling at the wheel ahead of a busy three days of testing later this week. There are certainly multiple areas of interest for us to keep learning and progressing and we look forward to continuing the hard work beginning on Wednesday with Jack driving the morning and Pierre the afternoon.”
Here’s videos: https://x.com/AlpineF1Team/status/1894125025428464075
https://x.com/AstonMartinF1/status/1893997174477717542
https://x.com/AstonMartinF1/status/1894075744084447425
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