A curtain-raiser as early as January for private testing in 2014?
In order to be able to test their new single-seaters and engine blocks and thus identify any potential issues as early as possible, the Formula 1 teams could begin the winter testing for the 2014 season as early as January.
Next year, new engines will arrive in Formula 1, 1.6L V6 Turbo instead of the current V8. To have time to resolve potential issues inherent to these new engine blocks, in 2014, F1 teams could start their pre-season testing as early as January, compared to February in recent years.
The initial intention of the teams was to organize a test session at the end of the year to start testing the V6 engines as early as possible, but this idea was ultimately set aside because it would have required the teams to modify their cars to accommodate the new engine block.
Currently, off-season testing is prohibited and cannot take place in January, but it seems that teams should meet with the FIA – Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile – in a few days during the Spanish Grand Prix to amend the sporting regulations of the Formula 1 World Championship and thereby allow testing from January. The teams might also take the opportunity to change the same regulation that stipulates these tests must take place in Europe. A simple majority, six out of eleven teams, is needed to approve this modification.
If the vote is favorable, it could also pave the way for a test session outside of Europe, in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, or Qatar, which seem to be the three favored destinations. Abu Dhabi has already proven itself with the holding of young driver tests, but Qatar has been coming up frequently in recent weeks, although nothing seems to be decided at the moment, especially since, for logistical cost reasons, Bahrain could be a more interesting choice, particularly if the Kingdom regains its place as the opening Grand Prix of the season, which would not displease the official of the Sakhir circuit.
The objective of holding a testing session outside of Europe is to avoid tire problems; indeed, if the teams can run for several days in the Middle East, they should be able to benefit from more favorable weather conditions than in Europe—with notably higher temperatures—which will help avoid some unpleasant surprises in tire degradation like this year.
