What is F1 preseason testing? Dates, circuit and everything else you need to know about Formula One testing

With Formula 1 returning in less than two weeks, teams and drivers need to familiarize themselves with their new cars for the 2023 season as pre-season testing begins on February 23.

Over the past few weeks, all ten teams have unveiled their fresh liveries for the upcoming campaign, with Mercedes’ decision to return to an all-black look being among the biggest talking points of the launches.

This year’s pre-season testing sees all ten teams convening in one location for the first time, with several drivers taking to the track for the first time with their new teams in a semi-competitive session.

For all the details on the 2023 F1 pre-season testing, including where and when the event will take place, The sports news got you covered.

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What are F1 pre-season tests?

In essence, pre-season testing is the first time in Formula 1 that all ten teams have gathered at the same track to test their new cars.

It’s a limited time that F1 designers have to test their new cars for 2023 before the action really begins with the Bahrain Grand Prix on the first weekend in March.

In addition to the three days of testing – which is less than what the team needs for each pre-season – each team will also receive two 15km demonstrations and two 100km promotional events. However, these events are heavily restricted to prevent teams from receiving large amounts of information during the process.

With less pre-season testing time, many cars struggled last season.

The biggest of those problems came in the form of porpoises, which struck a number of teams on the starting line-up last season, led by Mercedes. Essentially, this phenomenon occurred when air was sucked under the car at high speeds, creating instability that caused it to bounce up and down the straights.

Luckily all teams got rid of this problem at some point last season and with no significant changes to the regulations for this season we shouldn’t see too much porpoise in 2023.

Where and when are the F1 pre-season tests held?

Pre-season testing for the 2023 F1 season will take place at the Bahrain International Circuit.

Beginning on Thursday, February 23, the preseason session lasts three full days this season and ends on Saturday, February 25.

The format sees each day being split into two separate sessions, the first of which lasts exactly four hours. Each rider and team then has a one-hour break before continuing for four and a half hours later in the day.

Every day the new cars are put through their paces, on the hot track during the day and in cooler conditions in the evening.

Unlike last year, when teams had two separate weekends to push their cars to their limits, this season there will be just one weekend of pre-season testing. As well as testing in Bahrain in 2022, the team met in Barcelona the previous weekend, where the FIA ​​granted two weekends of testing in light of the radical car changes made during the off-season.

Only Bahrain was selected this time, as the 2023 Formula One season kicks off with the Bahrain Grand Prix the following week.

The nature of the track also gives teams the opportunity to test their cars in a variety of situations, with long, fast straights and tight, challenging corners.

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What equipment is used in cars for F1 pre-season testing?

What you might notice in pre-season testing is that F1 designers are putting odd looking gauges on their cars around the Bahrain International Circuit.

These various gauges are filled with sensors and are actually used to see how the air is flowing over the cars. Teams can then use this data to make further improvements to achieve those critical time advantages.

Fluorescent Flow-Vis stain can also be used for the same purpose. So if you see part of a car that looks light yellow, don’t worry, it’s normal!

Last but not least, it should be noted that only one car from each team can participate in a pre-season test session at a time, a decision made to limit traffic on the track at any point.

Teams can decide which riders ride in which sessions and make changes if needed. There is also no limit to how long each car can run during a test session.