© LAT Images for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd
The start of the 2022 Formula 1 season is a little over a month away, but pre-season on-track action is starting tomorrow! Here’s what you need to know.
In 2022 Formula 1 is introducing completely new cars, designed under new, radically changed regulations.
For this reason there will be more pre-season testing than there was last year. In 2022 F1 is returning to the usual schedule of two 3-day tests, with the first test will be held at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and the second one at the Bahrain International Circuit.
Here’s where it gets a little bit tricky. The Barcelona test will actually be called a “pre-season session”, while the Bahrain outing is called the “official pre-season test”.
According to Italian Motorsport.com, this was done because Liberty Media agreed with Bahrain that they will host the first official test of the new 2022 F1 cars.
The main distinction between the two events is that the Barcelona session will be held ‘behind closed doors’, with limited access for the media, while the Bahrain test will have full coverage including live TV, full access for the media and the event will be open for the fans.
So, this is the final schedule for both sessions:
- Barcelona Pre-Season Session: February 23-25
- Bahrain Official Pre-Season Test: March 10-12
If you like SilverArrows.Net, consider supporting us by buying us a coffee!
Each day of the Barcelona Pre-Season Sessions will start at 8am GMT and end at 5pm GMT. There will be a lunch break from 12am until 1pm each day, to break up the morning and afternoon sessions.
The Bahrain testing schedule is yet to be revealed.
Mercedes’ driver line-up
Mercedes has only revealed its driver line-up for the first day of the Barcelona Pre-Season Session. On Wednesday George Russell will drive in the morning session, while Lewis Hamilton will take over the W13 in the afternoon.
Where can you watch?
Like we already said, the Barcelona session will not have live TV coverage, but F1 intends to broadcast a round-up show from the circuit after each day.
The Bahrain test will have full live coverage on Sky Sports F1 in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and on F1 TV where it is available.
You will also be able to follow Mercedes testing updates throughout the day and final times in the evening, right here on SilverArrows.Net!
