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.

Brazilian Grand Prix - Driver ratings

Use the red tabs on either side of the screen to scroll through more Formula One news and features

Click here for a more light-hearted look at the Brazilian Grand Prix

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Julien Billiotte

Recent Posts

Sainz shocked – tells Williams to ‘go back to the drawing board’

Carlos Sainz arrived in Barcelona expecting a difficult weekend for Williams, but he left with…

2 hours ago

Claire Williams: Russell 'deserves a title' but must escape bad luck

Few people entered the 2026 Formula 1 season with more faith in George Russell than…

3 hours ago

Moss bags maiden F1 podium at Spa

On this day in 1954, Stirling Moss finished third in the Belgian Grand Prix at…

5 hours ago

Audi to ‘significantly benefit’ from ADUO, but in the long-term

Audi’s Formula 1 project has received a crucial boost in its battle to close the…

6 hours ago

Gasly looking to uphold momentum as ‘all the stars align’ for Alpine

While the Formula 1 midfield remains a ruthless, unforgiving shark tank, Pierre Gasly is riding…

7 hours ago

Steiner tears into Aston Martin: 'Not F1 standards anymore'

Aston Martin’s disastrous 2026 season has sparked plenty of criticism across the Formula 1 paddock,…

9 hours ago