The Formula 1 teams have agreed to restrict their testing this winter to just four tests. These will start at the beginning of February in Valencia (February 1-3), will continue at Jerez (February 10-13) and Barcelona (February 18-21) and will conclude in Bahrain between March 3-6, with the equipment then being left at the Bahrain International Circuit until the Grand Prix meeting kicks off on March 10. The teams will all be aiming to get cars out as early as possible, in order to get them tuned to the new Pirelli tyres, but some will no doubt have to join the testing schedule halfway through, depending on their build programmes.
Pirelli will host a major test in Abu Dhabi in the week after the World Championship finale this year. The decision regarding the testing venues means that there will be disappointment at a number of others venues, notably Portimao, which has hoped to attract the F1 teams. Odd though it may seem, this competition for winter tests would end up with circuits paying to host the tests, as they can attract spectators to watch the testing and the local economies are boosted by the comings and goings of the F1 community.
Wow that seems to be a pretty narrow window for testing, I imagine it will be a pretty intensive period for all involved.
Portimao should be on the race calendar, never mind testing. A great place for a race.
I’m staggered F1 charges circuits for test days! No wonder they go up and down runways the rest of the year!
Philcee, I agree I would’ve thought it was the other way around. But with testing limited so much, it makes sense that circuit owners would want to have the cars at their tracks in the winter (even at cost) given that there is not much else going on in February. They can always charge fans (enthusiastic Spanish no less) 10-20 euros to attend.
Yeah, good on the tracks if they can make it work for them. It’s mind-boggling that only a few years ago the Spanish were off watching Rossi and Gibernau while their own Grand Prix was full of foreign tourists and F1 was being dropped by the TV companies. Now they can have two races a year and still pack ‘em in for testing in the winter!
Mind you, they’re used to the thrilling final test of the Moto GP off-season which is always a corker. Live TV, BMW M3 to the fastest guy, great stuff. You listening Bernie? Probably not, he’s probably got a hangover today…
Is it possible to spectate at the tests? Anyone know?
well , this year I went to valencia , then barcelona , skipping jerez because of the foul weather
I was hoping for portimao , haven’t yet seen the circuit , and it would have made a nice trip with jerez
so it looks like jerez only this time , on the basis that lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same place
see you there joe ?
[...] Joe Saward les essais (4 séances) auront lieu aux dates [...]
[...] Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/winter-testing-dates-becoming-clearer/ [...]
[...] Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/winter-testing-dates-becoming-clearer/ [...]
[...] Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/winter-testing-dates-becoming-clearer/ [...]
[...] Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/winter-testing-dates-becoming-clearer/ [...]
[...] Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/winter-testing-dates-becoming-clearer/ [...]