Reduced 2020 pre-season testing confirmed, in-season testing dropped

  • Published on 04 Oct 2019 17:28
  • comments 3
  • 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
Date
19-21 February
Test
Pre-season test one
Location
Barcelona
Date
26-28 February
Test
Pre-season test two
Location
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
Date
15 March
Grand Prix
Australia
Venue
Melbourne
Date
22 March
Grand Prix
Bahrain
Venue
Sakhir
Date
5 April
Grand Prix
Vietnam
Venue
Hanoi
Date
19 April
Grand Prix
China
Venue
Shanghai
Date
3 May
Grand Prix
Netherlands
Venue
Zandvoort
Date
10 May
Grand Prix
Spain
Venue
Barcelona
Date
24 May
Grand Prix
Monaco
Venue
Monaco
Date
7 June
Grand Prix
Azerbaijan
Venue
Baku
Date
14 June
Grand Prix
Canada
Venue
Montreal
Date
28 June
Grand Prix
France
Venue
Le Castellet
Date
5 July
Grand Prix
Austria
Venue
Spielberg
Date
19 July
Grand Prix
Great Britain
Venue
Silverstone
Date
2 August
Grand Prix
Hungary
Venue
Budapest
Date
30 August
Grand Prix
Belgium
Venue
Spa
Date
6 September
Grand Prix
Italy
Venue
Monza
Date
20 September
Grand Prix
Singapore
Venue
Singapore
Date
27 September
Grand Prix
Russia
Venue
Sochi
Date
11 October
Grand Prix
Japan
Venue
Suzuka
Date
25 October
Grand Prix
United States
Venue
Austin
Date
1 November
Grand Prix
Mexico City
Venue
Mexico City
Date
15 November
Grand Prix
Brazil
Venue
Sao Paulo
Date
29 November 
Grand Prix
Abu Dhabi
Venue
Abu Dhabi

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.

  • 1
  • Oct 4 2019 - 19:31

Replies (3)

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  • Not quite sure what I feel about it, methinks it'll benefit the richer teams more, which isn't what we need.

    • + 0
    • Oct 4 2019 - 18:25
    • 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.

      • + 1
      • Oct 4 2019 - 19:31
    • 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.

      • + 0
      • Oct 4 2019 - 19:37

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

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BEGrand Prix of Belgium

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Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule
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