After an 88 day absence, Formula One has returned as Pre-Season testing begins in Bahrain from March 12-14th.
Testing has been held at Spain’s Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the last few years, however due to restrictions the event has been moved to the Gulf State.
This season’s opening has also changed, with Albert Park in Australia being moved towards the end of the season, Bahrain opening the season instead on March 28th.
Location is not the only thing changed at this year’s testing, with the number of days being reduced to only three.
Pre-Season testing allows for the first initial look at the cars and new drivers for the season, although it is not expected to reflect every team’s current performance due to the different schedules deployed.
With the rule changes for 2021 reduced due to the impact of COVID-19, the alterations that the teams can make have been dramatically reduced.
The bookies have tipped Lewis Hamilton to win his eighth World Championship title and break the record he currently shares with Michael Schumacher. His teammate Valterri Bottas and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen expected to behis nearest challengers
It also allows for the first true look at each team’s liveries, with the newly rebranded Aston Martin and Alpine among the teams whose new designs have impressed.
Ferrari was the last team to announce their livery on March 10th, and you can read more about it from our site.
We are also seeing our first look at a number of drivers in their new teams, with the likes of Sergio Perez at Red Bull, Daniel Ricciardo at Mclaren, as well as four time world champion Sebastian Vettel joining Aston Martin.
Three new drivers are joining the paddock as well, Yuki Tsunoda joins Pierre Gasly at Alpha Tauri. Haas has recruited two drivers from Formula 2 who have created plenty of attention by the media and fans alike, for drastically varying reasons.
Mick Schumacher, son of seven time World Champion Michael Schumacher, is set to continue his meteoric rise from the last few years, after winning Formula 2 & Formula 3 titles in the last three years.
On the other side of the garage is Nikita Mazapin, with the 22 year old Russian finishing fifth in the Formula 2 standings last season, with fans criticizing some of his actions in the competition, and his conduct in the postseason.
Testing will take place over the next three days from 7-11am GMT, with an hourly break before its second stint from 12-4PM.
To stay up to date on today’s Pre-Season testing as well as more sporting news, make sure you keep an eye on our Live Blog throughout the day!
