Formula 1

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

Ian Parkes & Sam Hall Tuesday 12 January 2021 14:38

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.

Latest News

McLaren

Oscar Piastri fires F1 title warning to Lando Norris

26 minutes ago

Latest F1 News

Former F1 team boss 'won't stop until he dies' in FIA revamp mission

1 hour ago

Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton's boss issues staunch defence of Ferrari F1 star over 2025 performance

2 hours ago

Latest F1 News

New FIA president given backing by McLaren boss after crucial agreement

2 hours ago

F1 Social

F1 team boss goes on park run with baby daughter

Yesterday 22:59

F1 Social

Oscar Piastri's Mum makes hilarious gag after F1 star's unfamiliar Ashes look

Yesterday 21:55

More news

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 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860