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
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

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

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Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule
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