P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Fernando Alonso claims the limited pre-season testing given to the drivers in Formula 1 is “unfair” and believes that the
The winter testing structure in Formula 1 changed in 2022 with the introduction of ground effect cars, shifting from two four-day tests to a single three-day schedule in Bahrain. This move has been viewed positively in terms of cost efficiency since the Sakhir circuit also hosts the season-opener. The condensed testing period limits the teams’ understanding of their new cars while proving challenging for rookie drivers to adapt. Despite having no newcomers on the 2024 grid, veteran driver Fernando Alonso, who is entering his 21st season in F1, argues that one-and-a-half days of testing per driver is insufficient. Alonso suggests extending the testing to four days in Bahrain, with two days allocated for each driver, a sentiment shared by Mercedes driver George Russell, who proposed three days of testing with two cars per team. Both drivers emphasize the importance of adequate preparation to ensure competitive racing throughout the season.
