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The second session on the opening day of 2025 Formula 1 pre-season testing was suspended for over an hour due to a power cut in the region surrounding the Bahrain International Circuit.
The issue struck just past 5pm local time, with a little under two hours of on-track action remaining.
The session resumed at 6.10pm local time and FOM said it is still to be confirmed whether the day will be extended as a result of the stoppage.
When it first occurred, floodlights around the track went out as dusk descended with power lost in the pitlane and in paddock buildings at the same time.
It is not yet clear what caused the failure and the Bahrain circuit is currently investigating the issue. F1 officials initially had no comment to make on the cause of the problem.
Once power had been restored, an F1 spokesperson issued the following statement on behalf of the track: “At approximately 5pm today, a power outage caused by an external substation failure led to the afternoon session on track to be paused.
“Power has since been restored and the afternoon session has resumed. We appreciate everyone’s patience.”
The power cut struck with many cars on track, which created striking images as they circulated just as the huge circuit spotlights went out.
But with the track marshalling and timing systems down as a result of the power cut, they were quickly called back to the pits by the red flag.
The session had already been taking place in rare overcast, cold and gloomy conditions in Bahrain – with sporadic spots of rain falling during the stoppage.
Some power systems remained online throughout with emergency lighting in paddock buildings staying on and TV broadcasts still in operation.
It is understood that the issue has struck the entire local area to the south of Bahrain island, which surrounds the desert track.
In anticipation of action eventually resuming, teams used generators they take to the grid ahead of races to keep tyre sets warm.
Cars continued to be fired intermittently in team garages as the stoppage went on, with some circuit floodlights working while others remained dark.
As the delay approached one hour in duration, more systems were becoming operational - with only the start-up of remaining spotlights preventing the action restarting earlier.
An FIA spokesperson later said of this: “The power, electronic systems and lights around the circuit are slowly coming back to normal, we expect to restart the session shortly.”
