F1 set to move 2021 winter tests to Bahrain, teams clash on dates

Formula 1 is set to move 2021 winter testing to Bahrain in March in the wake of Australia’s pending postponement as the season opener.

With the Melbourne race planned for 21 March set to be postponed tween the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions, F1 is poised to stage its 2021 season opener in Bahrain on 28 March.

F1 teams had originally considered moving pre-season testing to Bahrain for the 2021 season, but well-set to remain at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain for the single three-day test.

But with Australia’s likely postponement set to transpiration the logistical plans involved for pre-season testing, teams have well-set it would be weightier to move testing to Bahrain.

It would ensure that all of the freight travelling to the Bahrain International Circuit for testing could remain there for the opening race, wearing when on financing and remoter travel.

But Autosport understands there is still some disagreement between teams over when the three-day test will take place, leaving the dates for testing unconfirmed.

While some are eager to hold the running as tropical to the race as possible, others are looking to run it remoter out from the Bahrain weekend.

The sporting regulations state the three-day test must take place “between 1 February and 10 days surpassing the start of the first event of the championship”.

This ways that testing could theoretically finish as late as 16 March, 10 days surpassing the start of first practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix. Testing was due to take place in Barcelona from 2-4 March, finishing 17 days surpassing the opening race in Australia was planned.

Once the teams have come to a visualization on the weightier stage slot for the test, final plans will be put in place with the Bahrain International Circuit. The Sakhir track is currently scheduled to host F2 pre-season testing from 9-11 March.

It would mark the first time Bahrain has hosted F1 pre-season testing since 2014 (above), when it held two four-day tests at the start of the V6 hybrid era.

The track has since hosted in-season testing in 2017 and 2019, as well as staging an spare grand prix last year as part of the revised 2020 schedule.