Why some F1 teams are still set to hit the track in April

A handful of F1 teams are still due to be in action across April, with tyre supplier Pirelli continuing their development testing programme.

F1 chiefs confirmed mid-March that, due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East region, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will not take place this month.

While several alternatives were considered by stakeholders, it was ultimately decided that no substitutions would be made.

That meant a break in the calendar between the Japanese Grand Prix from March 27-29 to the Miami Grand Prix from May 1-3.

Despite that gap, however, April unofficially features some F1 action – starting with Pirelli holding a two-day test at Suzuka this week.

Red Bull and Racing Bulls ran on Tuesday (the final day of March) and Wednesday (the first day of April), with Isack Hadjar, Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad driving.

A wet-tyre test has also been scheduled with Ferrari at Fiorano on April 9 and 10, before Mercedes and McLaren make their way to the Nurburgring – which last hosted an F1 Grand Prix in 2020 – for a planned dry-tyre test from April 14-15.

Next up for teams after these tests will be the trip to the Miami International Autodrome – the 2026 season officially resuming with practice on Friday, May 1.