No Wonder They Call It F1 Winter Testing!

Many parts of the UK are suffering with the impact of the current “Beast From The East” cold and snowy weather, but so too is the Formula 1 world as the teams start to test their new cars this week at the Spanish Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Cold temperatures, rain and light snow flurries had already affected the first two days of testing, but this morning the start of the third day of on-track action was delayed due to the arrival of more snow. Apart from the poor track conditions the start of testing was held back because the medical helicopter could not take off and, if that is the case, F1 cars are not allowed to run just in case there is a serious medical emergency requiring an air transfer to hospital.

When the track is made available for use some teams may well run their cars, if only for eye-catching photo opportunities. Discussions are ongoing as to whether an extension should be made to this week’s test or the similar four-day one at the same circuit next week, but this will need the unanimous agreement of all teams for it to happen.

This year’s Formula 1 calendar includes Grand Prix in 21 different countries around the world, a true global championship, and at many of them the weather will be so much hotter and drier than at Barcelona today. Something all the teams will be so grateful for.