Formula 1's 2016 pre-season test schedule will now start eight days earlier than planned, in light of the revised grand prix calendar for next year. The first test at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya had been earmarked for March 1-4, with the second and final test a fortnight later at the same venue on March 15-18.
Formula 1 Final Testing
Where: Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona
When: Saturday, March 1, at 08:00 UK
Radio: Autosport
Live Stream: TzarMedia
But with the season-opening race in Australia switched from April 3 to March 20, that has had a knock-on effect. The Spanish circuit will continue to host both tests, but with the initial four-day session to run from February 22-25. Rather than an 11-day gap between tests as had previously been scheduled, there is now only a four-day break, with the second test taking up the March 1-4 slot. Although the first test is only a week earlier than initially slated, for all the teams that will have a significant impact on car build and preparation.
Ferrari led the timesheets at the end of the first test thanks to Sebastian Vettel's time of one minute, 22.810 seconds. The German produced the lap in the afternoon of the second day, using the new ultrasoft Pirelli tyres. Nico Hulkenberg was second-quickest for Force India, with Daniel Ricciardo in third. Reigning world champions Mercedes only managed the eighth-quickest time, but there will have been no glum faces back at the factory in Brackley. The Silver Arrows were aiming for reliability, not pace, and the new W07 racked up an incredible 675 laps of the track. For all their headline pace, Ferrari did just 352.
Away from the scrap at the front, the new Haas team made an impressive debut after a setback on the opening day, while Manor's start to life as a Mercedes customer was encouraging rather than spectacular. Toro Rosso didn't show their hand, Williams were quiet, Renault made progress and McLaren's fortunes were mixed.
Most of the teams will finish the second test running their cars close to the specification they will use for the opening race on March 20, and everyone will be aiming to do full qualifying and race simulations at least once over the four days. Caution must still be exercised when looking at the timesheets; no test, be it the first or the last, ever gives a truly accurate picture of the state of play. But we should at least get an idea of who's doing well, who's doing OK and who's falling behind.
Here's what to look for when the action kicks off on Tuesday.
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