Formula 1 has issued a statement revealing the conditions of the 2022 pre-season tests that will be held first at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and then at the Bahrain International Circuit.
The first round of tests, in Montmeló, from February 23 to 25, will not have an audience , nor will it be broadcast on television nor will it have live coverage on the official Formula 1 website.
In addition, the presence of the tests will be reduced compared to what we were used to before the pandemic, although Motorsport.com will be present and ready to give as much information as possible.
The category has made it clear, in the explanation about the tests, that in the Bahrain test it will allow fans in the stands, a live broadcast and will show the live-timing (live time table).
In addition, the terminology used is also surprising: Barcelona is considered a ” low-profile pre-test session ” while Bahrain is referred to as an ” official pre-season test ” from March 10 to 12.
Finally Bahrain has gotten away with it. The objective of the owners of the circuit was to keep all the media attention (which in these first months of 2022 is greater than ever due to the new regulations), and this ‘blackout’ at the Barcelona tests goes in that direction. Formula 1 has given in to money.
Therefore, the first televised tests, as well as a wider coverage with live times and numerous images, will be those of the Sakhir circuit. In addition, as Motorsport.com has already published, Bahrain also wants us not to see the final appearance of the new cars until their tests, so Ferrari and other teams could go to Montmeló with a temporary livery.
The statement does not officially say that the Barcelona 2022 tests will be behind closed doors, but it omits that there will be an audience in the stands of the Catalan track, as the description of the Bahrain tests reflects.
While at first it was tried to sell that this decision to do the tests behind closed doors in Barcelona was due to the health situation, it has become evident that it is due to pressure from Bahrain for taking the focus and all the expectation for their tests.
This is how F1 explains what the 2022 Barcelona tests will be like…
“The first outing is a low-key pre-test session at the Barcelona track from February 23-25, which will allow teams to test their all-new cars for 2022 for the first time in the same location.”
“However, as is traditional for team pre-test events (?), the rounds at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will not feature live race-style coverage or live timing, but will include content and best lap times at the end of each day.
And this will be the 2022 tests of Bahrain
“The official pre-season tests will take place in Bahrain from March 10-12, before the Bahrain Grand Prix the weekend of March 18-20. Fans will be in attendance, while there will also be live TV coverage and timings. live”.
