F1 star BLASTS 'unfair' pre-season testing
F1 star BLASTS 'unfair' pre-season testing
Double world champion Fernando Alonso has panned the lack of testing time the teams are given before the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
The winter break for F1 teams has been relatively short, with three months of respite between the 2023 Abu Dhabi GP on November 26th and the 2024 Bahrain GP on March 2nd.
Before racing commences, a three-day test session will take place in Bahrain, beginning on February 21st and ending on the 23rd.
READ MORE: F1 Schedule 2024: Full calendar with all you need to know about every grand prix
It means drivers will get over a day and a half of testing in their new cars under their belts before racing begins a week later in Bahrain.
The reason behind testing and racing in Bahrain is to keep costs in order and minimise travel before the first race.
Alonso slams lack of testing
As early as 2022, the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona hosted pre-season testing, with fans allowed to attend and buy paddock passes, helping them secure access to the drivers and teams.
Previously, most of the teams' pre-season testing programme was conducted in Southern Europe due to the region's excellent weather in January and February. The good weather and excellent facilities meant circuits such as Jerez in Spain and Estoril in Portugal became popular venues in the 1990s and 2000s for F1 teams to extensively test their new cars.
"We have very limited testing in Bahrain," Alonso said. "I've been thinking all winter about this, how unfair it is that we only have one day and a half to prepare [for] a world championship.
"There is no other sport in the world, with all the money involved and with all the marketing and the good things that we say about Formula 1 and being closer and closer to the fans, [where that happens].
"I cannot understand why we then go to Bahrain for four days, which could be two and two for the drivers. If you go to three, which is not even, which is an odd number, you cannot divide between the drivers.
"And I don't know why we don't go with two cars? Because we are already in Bahrain, and we race the following week."
READ MORE: Horner verdict could spark major Red Bull problem claims F1 winner
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Horner outlines Ricciardo target to save F1 dream as major Newey announcement made - GPFans F1 Recap
- 51 minutes ago
Mercedes reveal shock RED livery to celebrate historic milestone
- 1 hour ago
Ricciardo makes five-race admission in bid to survive F1 axe
- 2 hours ago
Red Bull is 'burning' after Horner and Marko display
- 3 hours ago
Red Bull announce strong statement over Newey departure claims
- Yesterday 19:57
Verstappen 'to meet Mercedes over SHOCK 2025 move as Red Bull exit clause revealed'
- Yesterday 18:57
Related news
F1 decision announced regarding points system change
F1 boss HITS BACK at star driver over schedule complaints
F1 franchise welcomes return of INCREDIBLE feature
F1 legend issues DAMNING verdict on proposed rule change
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860