P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Why is there so much F1 testing this year?
In 2021, F1 celebrated 75 years of the championship, a significant milestone in the sport’s history. However, F1 2026 brings the biggest overhaul in chassis and engine regulations of the modern era, leading to extensive pre-season testing.
Prior to the first round of the 2026 F1 championship on March 8, there are three rounds of pre-season testing. The first one took place last month in Barcelona, with the next two occurring at the Bahrain International Circuit.
Teams and drivers will be undertaking pre-season preparations in Bahrain starting from February 11, with broadcasting by Sky F1. The second week of testing in Bahrain will run from February 18 to February 20.
The expanded testing program for 2026 is due to the introduction of new regulations, necessitating more time to adjust to the changes. Teams, including new entrant Cadillac, now have a total of nine days of testing to adapt to the smaller, lighter cars and other modifications.
The testing phases will focus on reliability, aerodynamics, and tire work to ensure that teams are well-prepared for the upcoming 2026 F1 campaign.
