Return of F1, technical circuit: instructions for winter testing in Barcelona

The tradition was renounced in 2021 due to Covid-19, but in 2022, the Formula 1 will begin their winter tests in Catalonia. Indeed, the Barcelona circuit will welcome the 10 teams for three days of training, from Wednesday February 23 to Friday February 25.

The driving times are identical to the 2020 off-season, namely a morning session from 9 a.m. to 13 p.m., followed by a one-hour lunch break before continuing with the afternoon session until 18 p.m. Usually, teams halve the schedule for each driver.

It will be difficult to make a direct comparison with the 2020 pre-season tests, because in the meantime the Catalan circuit has been modified and lengthened at turn 10, at the start of the third and final sector.

Please note, however, that Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) had set the best time during the winter of 2020 in 1'15''732 equipped with hard tires. In racing conditions, Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) achieved a time of 1'16''741 (soft tires) during qualifying for the 2021 Spanish Grand Prix in the spring, with a warmer track.

With a length of 4,675 km, the Barcelona circuit is appreciated by teams and engineers for the range of turns it offers. The first and second sectors include medium and high speed curves while the final sector is a succession of slower corners, before leading to a long straight.

The Barcelona tests will be followed on AUTOhebdo.Fr. Our two reporters Jean-Michel Desnoues and Jérémy Satis will be in the Spanish paddock to report on the event. Following the start of testing, the traditional F1 Guide will be available on newsstands.

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