AFTER a short refuelling break over winter, Formula One is back.

A gruelling 2021 season lies ahead – the longest ever in F1 history – with the cars and drivers in Bahrain this week for all-important pre-season testing.

Lewis Hamilton is chasing another world title as he looks to follow-up a record-breaking 2020Credit: PA:Press Association

When is F1 pre-season testing?

Testing will take place over three days, starting on Friday, March 12.
The first session will run from 7am GMT until 11am, before an afternoon run between 12pm-4pm.
Bahrain hosts the event and will also be the venue for the opening race of the 2021 season on March 26-28.
World champion Lewis Hamilton will get to drive the new Mercedes W12 for the first time.

Which TV channel and live stream can I watch it on?

You can catch every moment of the weekend’s action live on Sky Sports F1.

Coverage on Friday will start at 6.50am GMT.

If you’re a Sky customer, grab the Sky Go app to stream on the move.

Non-Sky subscribers can purchase a NOW TV pass from £9.99 to watch on their mobile, Smart TV, tablet, PC or games console.

You can also follow all the action right here with our SunSport live blog from 7am.

F1 2021 schedule

March 26-28: Bahrain Grand Prix (Sakhir)
April 16-18: Emilie-Romagna Grand Prix (Imola)
30 April to 2 May: Portimão Grand Prix (Portugal)
May 7-9: Spanish Grand Prix (Barcelona)
May 21-23: Monaco Grand Prix (Monaco)
June 4-6: Azerbaidjan Grand Prix (Baku)
June 11-13: Canadian Grand Prix (Montreal)
June 25-27: French Grand Prix (Castellet)
July 2-4: Austrian Grand Prix (Spielberg)
July 16-18: British Grand Prix (Silverstone)
30 July to 1 August: Hungarian Grand Prix (Budapest)
August 27-29: Belgium Grand Prix (Spa-Francorchamps)
September 3-5: Dutch Grand Prix (Zandvoort0
September 10-12: Italian Grand Prix (Monza)
September 24-26: Russian Grand Prix (Sotchi)
October 1-3: Singapore Grand Prix (Singapore)
October 8-10: Japanese Grand Prix (Suzuka)
October 22-24: American Grand Pric (Austin)
October 29-31: Mexican Grand Prix (Mexico)
November 5-7: Brazilian Grand Prix (Interlagos)
November 19-21: Australian Grand Prix (Melbourne)
December 3-5: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (Djeddah)
December 10-12: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Yas Marina)

ASTON MARTIN ARE BACK IN F1 AND SEBASTIAN VETTEL IS BEHIND THE WHEEL
NEW LIVERY AND DRIVERS AT HAAS
F1 2021 IS GO

Pre season testing is underway in Bahrain. Only three days of testing this season, all in Sakhir, whereas it used to be eight days in Barcelona.

This is the first glimpse of this year’s cars, featuring new teams, drivers and liveries.