Formula 1 teams are searching for an agreement to move the series’ winter test from Spain to Bahrain and the Bahrain International Circuit, but a final decision is currently eluding them.
The move comes after a disastrous winter testing period ahead of the 2018 season, as snow, cold winds, low ambient and track temperatures proved to be highly disruptive to the running. Furthermore, the resurfaced Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya was deemed unsuitable for representative running, given that Pirelli had to introduce a controversially modified tyre – with a thinner tread – for May’s Spanish Grand Prix in order to prevent blistering issues seen in the winter.
Bahrain has been the venue for F1 pre-season testing in previous years, between 2006 and ’09 as well as 2014, but teams previously expressed a desire to stay in Europe in the interests of ease of logistics and cutting costs.
However, both the FIA and the sport’s owners, Liberty Media, have expressed their happiness in relocating the test and are reportedly open to cover a portion of the logistical costs, therefore shrinking one barrier to entry amongst the tighter-budgeted teams.
The two bodies are also happy with the guarantee of good weather, with February temperatures for Manama usually settling between 15-22C. The threat of rain is minimal, although nearly 6cm of rain was recorded over five days in the area last February.
The option has also been suggested because of 2019 winter testing being brought forward due to the rescheduling of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix -taking place on the weekend of 15-17 March, provisionally. In accordance with this, the first pre-season test is set to be between 18-21 February and the second test following after a four-day break, on 26 February, concluding on 1 March.
With the proposed cancellation of the in-season Hungary test, usually straight after the Hungarian Grand Prix at the end of July, only one in-season testing period is believed to be scheduled, the May test in Barcelona, at the request of the teams.
Bahrain is also considered to be a more media-friendly venue for F1, with the teams set to be discouraged from hiding their cars behind garage-front screens or doors.
