'Winter test due to postponed Grand Prix from Australia to Bahrain'
F1 News
- GPblog.com
The Australian Grand Prix has not yet been officially postponed, but with several sources already reporting it, it seems a matter of time before it becomes official. It is therefore not surprising that the winter tests are also under discussion.
The 2021 Formula 1 season was due to start in Australia on 21 March, but several sources have already reported that this race will not take place in March. Melbourne is looking for another spot on the calendar to fulfill the wish of 23 races of Liberty Media, but that doesn't seem easy with the overcrowded calendar.
Winter test to Bahrain?
It also has consequences for the start of the season. If Australia does not go ahead, Bahrain will be the first race of the season and this will raise questions about the winter test. It will be held in Barcelona, because teams wanted to go back to the factory first and Barcelona will be closer than Bahrain.
However, now that the start of the season is in Bahrain, it also seems logistically a much better plan to do the winter test in Bahrain. According to Motorsport.it, the teams have already been asked about this possibility and are positive about it. The test would therefore take place later. Where they were planned in Barcelona for 2-4 March, the test could take place in Bahrain from 12-14 March, just after the Formula 2 test days.