P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Live broadcast coverage of the opening F1 pre-season test in Bahrain will be curtailed with limited access as per reports.
Live broadcast coverage of the opening Formula 1 pre-season test at Bahrain International Circuit will be limited due to restricted access, according to reports. Teams are gearing up to debut their 2026 cars at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya next week, kicking off the first of three pre-season testing opportunities. This initial event is labelled as a ‘private shakedown’ without media coverage where teams will address any early technical challenges resulting from the significant rule changes this year. During this first test, teams will have only three out of five days for running, with McLaren opting to skip the first and decide between day two or three for their track appearance. Access to TV broadcasts showing glimpses of the new cars, such as Red Bull’s, will be limited during the F1 pre-season testing period. Beyond Barcelona, a two-week break will precede the Bahrain International Circuit tests from February 11-13, though similar restrictions on live timing and coverage are expected there as well. The rationale for the restricted access is to allow teams to refine their cars after the Barcelona test before showcasing them in full during the final test in Bahrain. Despite the limited information currently available, F1 has yet to release detailed plans for the upcoming pre-season events, keeping fans eagerly waiting for more updates.
