Barcelona confirms dates for 2016 F1 pre-season tests

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya officials have confirmed that next year’s Formula One pre-season tests will exclusively take place at the Spanish Grand Prix venue.

These will be divided into a couple of four-day sessions, with the first test held on February 22-25 and the second one taking place on March 1-4.

All 2016 Spanish Grand Prix tickets holders will be able to attend the eight days of testing for free.

The dates have been brought forward following the latest changes in the F1 calendar, which saw the opening Australian Grand Prix scheduled for March 20 instead of its initial April 3 slot.

Williams’ Rob Smedley recently claimed than starting the season earlier will make life “really tough” for all F1 teams, while Red Bull team principal admits his team was “right on the limit” to be able to make the first test amidst uncertainty around its power supply.

The 2015 pre-season tests spread over three four-day sessions, and kicked off at Jerez on February 1st.

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Julien Billiotte

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