We’ve seen all 10 groups unveil their brand-new contenders – or not less than their new liveries – however the official pre-season check will give us the primary actual likelihood to see all the brand new F1 automobiles on monitor for the primary time. Our newest newbie’s information takes you thru the how, when and why of pre-season testing…
What and when is pre-season testing?
Pre-season testing is an opportunity for groups to run their automobiles on monitor forward of the primary race of the yr. It’s been occurring for many years, however testing was once a largely non-public affair, with groups at one time capable of do as a lot testing as they favored.
READ MORE: 5 surprises, tech traits and courageous calls from the 2023 F1 launch season
Nevertheless it’s now a highly-regulated occasion that ensures equal time and situations for all 10 groups and 20 drivers.
In 2023, testing takes place on the Bahrain Worldwide Circuit on February 23-25.
Every of the three days of pre-season testing is scheduled to start at 1000 native time and finish at 1930 native time, with an hour’s break for lunch. That is a complete of 25.5 hours that the monitor will likely be open over the course of the check – and the groups are solely allowed to 1 run automobile at a time.
Why do groups participate in pre-season testing?
Groups make appreciable modifications to their designs in the course of the winter break and construct solely new automobiles for every new season. In order that they want time to check the brand new components – whereas additionally ensuring their automobiles are dependable – earlier than the opening race of the season.
Although not as wide-ranging as final yr’s algorithm modifications, there are some new laws for this season, so groups have needed to tweak their ground designs whereas additionally engaged on the final efficiency of their automobiles.
READ MORE: From Pink Bull’s drinks can to Alfa Romeo’s camouflage – 9 of probably the most spectacular pre-season testing liveries
Pre-season testing can also be necessary for drivers, as whereas they could have had ample hours on the simulator, this could be their first time on the wheel of the brand-new machine. With three full-time rookies – Logan Sargeant, Oscar Piastri and Nyck de Vries – on the grid, testing is a useful likelihood for them to get some much-needed monitor time earlier than the primary race.
In the meantime the engineers will use the three days to gather knowledge on their new machines – and ensure it correlates with what the wind tunnel and simulations have proven – whereas the mechanics will hone their abilities throughout by practising pit stops.
How do I watch and comply with testing?
Right here on F1.com we’ll have reside textual content commentary – simply as we do for each race weekend – plus reside timing, up-to-date response and in-depth written evaluation from each testing session.
F1 TV subscribers may even watch the classes reside, plus catch additional options, on the official streaming platform.
Alternatively, protection of the pre-season check can also be carried by your native F1 broadcaster, equivalent to Sky Sports activities within the UK.
READ MORE: What to look at on F1 TV – Our presenters choose their favorite reveals forward of the brand new season
What ought to I look ahead to in testing?
That is our first correct likelihood to see the brand new automobiles on monitor, every – hopefully – sporting new aerodynamic components. The flooring will certainly be completely different, given new guidelines to fight porpoising – that is when the automobiles bounce up and down at excessive pace – however groups may also have re-shaped their sidepods and engine covers over winter break.
Final yr, some groups – equivalent to Mercedes and Pink Bull – introduced markedly completely different variations of their automobiles to pre-season testing after the preliminary three days of operating in Barcelona. This yr, there are simply three days of operating in whole, so we’d not see such a dramatic change in designs from Day 1 to Day 3 in Bahrain – however they may virtually positively be becoming upgrades between testing and the primary race of the season, which additionally takes place in Bahrain, on March 3-5.
READ MORE: 5 occasions F1 groups received the brand new laws unsuitable
Mileage is at a premium this yr given how quick the check is. Final yr, McLaren – with Daniel Ricciardo recovering from Covid-19 – coated the least floor with 200 laps over the three-day check in Bahrain; Mercedes managed 385.
Lastly, the check may even give us a glimpse of aforementioned rookies Piastri (McLaren), Sargeant (Williams) and De Vries (AlphaTauri), plus new signings Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), Pierre Gasly (Alpine) and Nico Hulkenberg (Haas).
Do the timesheets matter in testing?
Sure, to some extent – groups will likely be trying to put down some quick laps and run their automobiles with decrease gas hundreds and softer tyre compounds – however testing occasions do must be taken with a pinch of salt.
Max Verstappen managed to set the quickest testing occasions in 2022 and 2021 – and he went on to win the championship in each seasons – although that doesn’t imply testing offers us a full image of the aggressive order: Yuki Tsunoda set the second-fastest time general in 2021 and Mick Schumacher was second-fastest general in 2022.
Groups do not usually reveal how a lot gas they have been utilizing throughout a session, both, which makes it even tougher to inform who’s truly going to be quickest.
In fact, if Ferrari and Mercedes handle a persistently fast and dependable displaying in pre-season testing, then discuss of a three-way title battle will erupt forward of the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 5…
BARRETTO: Mercedes return to black in 2023 – however will they be again within the title hunt?
