Reduced 2020 pre-season testing confirmed, in-season testing dropped
- Published on 04 Oct 2019 17:28
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- By: Fergal Walsh
The pre-season testing schedule for the 2020 season has been confirmed, with six days of on-track action to take place instead of eight.
As GPToday.net reported in August, testing will remain at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, which will host the Spanish Grand Prix in May.
The first test for the 2020 cars will begin on February 19th and end on February 21st, before the cars return to the circuit once more on the 26th to the 28th.
In-season testing has also been dropped from the schedule altogether, with the 2019 in-season tests held at Bahrain and Spain following each of the Grand Prix weekends.
2020 F1 pre-season testing schedule
| Date | Test | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 19-21 February | Pre-season test one | Barcelona |
| 26-28 February | Pre-season test two | Barcelona |
Formula 1's provisional 2020 calendar was announced in August, which is ste to feature 22 races for the very first time.
New additions to the schedule are Vietnam and The Netherlands, while the German Grand Prix has been dropped.
Provisional 2020 F1 race calendar
| Date | Grand Prix | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 15 March | Australia | Melbourne |
| 22 March | Bahrain | Sakhir |
| 5 April | Vietnam | Hanoi |
| 19 April | China | Shanghai |
| 3 May | Netherlands | Zandvoort |
| 10 May | Spain | Barcelona |
| 24 May | Monaco | Monaco |
| 7 June | Azerbaijan | Baku |
| 14 June | Canada | Montreal |
| 28 June | France | Le Castellet |
| 5 July | Austria | Spielberg |
| 19 July | Great Britain | Silverstone |
| 2 August | Hungary | Budapest |
| 30 August | Belgium | Spa |
| 6 September | Italy | Monza |
| 20 September | Singapore | Singapore |
| 27 September | Russia | Sochi |
| 11 October | Japan | Suzuka |
| 25 October | United States | Austin |
| 1 November | Mexico City | Mexico City |
| 15 November | Brazil | Sao Paulo |
| 29 November | Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi |
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Replies (3)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Not quite sure what I feel about it, methinks it'll benefit the richer teams more, which isn't what we need.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
I don't understand this move. Why was this done? To save on costs? I would imagine that it's more expensive to get the design wrong, or have correlation issues in-season, than to spent money upfront to get it all correct.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Indeed, it was to save costs. Transports are incredibly expensive for the teams, and it does no doubt impact the smaller teams. However, to be unable to develop is, in my book, a greater disadvantage. Ferrari and Merc' both have vast sums at their disposal, they can simulate and simulate as much as they can and can afford extensive testing regimes. For the budget teams, the best data is gotten from the track. I agree with your notion, hence my earlier comment, but I can understand why the shortterm cost-cutting might be tempting.