Bahrain to host delayed F1 pre-season testing in mid-March
Test was due to take place in Spain between March 2-4
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
Recommended by the editors
Latest F1 News
Mercedes' monster upgrades for Canadian GP revealed and how it can hurt Ferrari advantage
Nurburgring 24 Hours
Nurburgring 24 Hours Qualifying: Start times and free live streams with Max Verstappen in action
Nurburgring 24 Hours
Martin Brundle's son makes late entry to take on Max Verstappen in Nurburgring 24 Hours race
Ferrari
Ferrari F1 hopes come crashing down over 'soul-destroying' 2026 upgrades
Races
-
Grand Prix of Australia 2026
-
Grand Prix of China 2026
-
Grand Prix of Japan 2026
-
Grand Prix of Bahrain 2026
-
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2026
-
Miami Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix du Canada 2026
-
Grand Prix De Monaco 2026
-
Gran Premio de Barcelona-Catalunya 2026
-
Grand Prix of Austria 2026
-
Grand Prix of Great Britain 2026
-
Grand Prix of Belgium 2026
-
Grand Prix of Hungary 2026
-
Dutch Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Italy 2026
-
Gran Premio de España 2026
-
Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2026
-
Grand Prix of Singapore 2026
-
Grand Prix of the United States 2026
-
Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2026
-
Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2026
-
Las Vegas Grand Prix 2026
-
Qatar Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2026
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Editorial & corporate information
Avenue HQ
10–12 East Parade
Leeds
LS1 2BH
United Kingdom Regional correspondence
View contact page