close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • IT
  • ES-MX
  • US
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB IT ES-MX US

Bahrain to host delayed F1 pre-season testing in mid-March

Photo: © LAT Images

Bahrain to host delayed F1 pre-season testing in mid-March

Test was due to take place in Spain between March 2-4

Ian Parkes & Sam Hall
Google Make us your Google favorite

The sole Formula 1 pre-season test will take place in Bahrain in mid-March, GPFans Global has learned.

In a bid to reduce costs, F1 opted to scale back on pre-season testing from two three-day tests to just a single three-day test for the coming year, which was originally due to be held in Barcelona on March 2-4.

But with the Australian Grand Prix delayed until mid-November, and with Bahrain now hosting the season-opening race on March 26-28, the test has shifted both date and location, with the 10 teams to take to the track in Sakhir between March 12-14.

At the turn of the year, rumours began to emerge about a potential postponement to the Australian GP and the idea of shifting pre-season testing to Bahrain was quickly mooted.

The new date means the test will close with 11 available days before the start of first practice for the opening race of the year, a day longer than required as a minimum by the regulations.

The change allows teams a week longer to work on their 2021 machinery before taking to the track for the first time.

Following the Bahrain GP, teams will travel to Imola, with that race filling a vacancy after it was announced the Chinese GP was being postponed, with the currently vacant TBC slot - likely to be Portimão - following on May 2.

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Adrian Newey announces 'big' Aston Martin upgrades and finally names the date

Adrian Newey announces 'big' Aston Martin upgrades and finally names the date

  • 20 minutes ago
Lewis Hamilton's three-word message to Max Verstappen after Austrian Grand Prix scrap

Lewis Hamilton's three-word message to Max Verstappen after Austrian Grand Prix scrap

  • 1 hour ago
F1 News Today: Lewis Hamilton hits out at Max Verstappen as Ferrari boss warns of 'disastrous' benchmark

F1 News Today: Lewis Hamilton hits out at Max Verstappen as Ferrari boss warns of 'disastrous' benchmark

  • 2 hours ago
Toto Wolff admits Mercedes are 'enjoying' Lewis Hamilton resurgence

Toto Wolff admits Mercedes are 'enjoying' Lewis Hamilton resurgence

  • 3 hours ago
The F1 British Grand Prix tent that costs £24,000, here's what you get

The F1 British Grand Prix tent that costs £24,000, here's what you get

  • Today 14:57
George Russell reveals 'abnormal' strategy stopped Max Verstappen from winning

George Russell reveals 'abnormal' strategy stopped Max Verstappen from winning

  • Today 13:59

Just in

18:44
Adrian Newey announces 'big' Aston Martin upgrades and finally names the date
17:30
Lewis Hamilton's three-word message to Max Verstappen after Austrian Grand Prix scrap
16:41
F1 News Today: Lewis Hamilton hits out at Max Verstappen as Ferrari boss warns of 'disastrous' benchmark
15:56
Toto Wolff admits Mercedes are 'enjoying' Lewis Hamilton resurgence
14:57
The F1 British Grand Prix tent that costs £24,000, here's what you get
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

Adrian Newey announces 'big' Aston Martin upgrades and finally names the date Aston Martin

Adrian Newey announces 'big' Aston Martin upgrades and finally names the date

20 minutes ago
The F1 British Grand Prix tent that costs £24,000, here's what you get British Grand Prix

The F1 British Grand Prix tent that costs £24,000, here's what you get

Today 14:57
Adrian Newey confirms health issues in Aston Martin update Latest F1 News

Adrian Newey confirms health issues in Aston Martin update

Today 13:10
Red Bull F1 mass exodus leaves questions but Max Verstappen has the answers F1 Analysis

Red Bull F1 mass exodus leaves questions but Max Verstappen has the answers

Today 11:00
Ontdek het op Google Play
x