FIA investigation launched after worrying 'unauthorised' incident at F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain

The final day of F1 2025 pre-season testing was red-flagged following a bizarre incident involving an unauthorised vehicle.

It has been an eventful three-day event at Bahrain International Circuit as all 10 teams test their cars before the season-opening grand prix in Melbourne, Australia next month.

On Wednesday morning, the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen took to the track, although things took a somewhat unusual turn during testing.

With around 1 hour and 55 minutes left of the session, the red flag emerged after a power cut occurred at the track.

In fact, a number of garages along the pit lane were left without power and mechanics were seen walking around with torches as they continued to work on the cars.

A day later and the red flag emerged again, with the first being as a result of debris appearing underneath the race control box on the pit straight.

In an unusual turn of events, glass from the pit box made its way onto the track after shattering – and the debris needed to be cleared away by the marshals to avoid any potential tyre punctures.

Later on, testing was briefly stopped again when race control discovered one marshal had not yet returned to their post.

And eight minutes after the lunch break, a shuttle bus made its way onto the run-off area on the outside of turns nine and 10, which brought another stoppage from officials.

A spokesperson from the FIA has since confirmed to RaceFans that an unauthorised vehicle appeared in the service road alongside the track, and was not protected by barriers. In fact, race control was unaware of where the vehicle was going.

A bus appeared on the track during testing in Bahrain. Image credit: F1

Here's how fans on social media reacted to the incident.

One said: "Umm... Bus on track at testing in Bahrain. How much for this tour?" while another commented: "During Bahrain testing, there’s been glass on the track, a power cut and a red flag due to a bus. F1 is so back."

A third wrote: "What’s going on in Bahrain lol. First a power outage then broken glass on track and what was that bus even doing there? Some of the weirdest red flags. It’s so chaotic."

A fourth said: "Silly season starting really early this year," and a fifth added: "Bro whats happening."

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