The management of the two collective tests that will precede the start of the Formula 1 2022 season aroused curiosity. Liberty Media announced the two test sessions scheduled in Spain and Bahrain with different names, defining the three days of Barcelona as a shakedown, while those of Skahir will be the official tests that precede the start of the season.
Behind the different denomination there is also a different planning, given that in Bahrain there will be complete media coverage, which will include live television and full access for the media and the public, while in Montmelò the tests will be behind closed doors (for spectators ) and with limitations also for TV media.
A singular policy, given that the greatest interest will obviously be for the Spanish tests, which will be the first official act not only of the season, but of the new technical era.
But why then this management difference? There is a reason, and it’s cheap. Bahrain, home of the opening round of the 2022 world championship, has also asked to have a sort of world premiere of the season, to be the venue where the teams show on the track the new cars with which they will face the championship.
A difficult need to satisfy, given that the tests in Barcelona had been planned for some time, but Liberty Media did not give up. Initially, the teams were asked to use temporary liveries in Montmelò, a way to meet Bahrain’s demands, but several teams stressed that they are struggling with already tight deadlines, and a double paint job would still have cost time and money, and in addition, the teams would still have shown their colors in the official presentations.
At that point it was decided to limit the visibility of the Spanish tests to a minimum, eliminating live television coverage, and also limiting the coverage of the media that will be present in Montmelò.
In practice, what will in fact be the test that will open in 2022 has been baptized as a shakedown, to guarantee an exclusive to Bahrain that will have very little exclusive. Attention, normally in real shakedowns the teams use test tires and are limited in mileage, while in Barcelona the tests will be as always, that is, without constraints and with race tires.
The story will change, because the three days of Sahkir will be more usable by fans thanks to the television coverage, but Formula 1 will begin its 2022 journey and its new technical cycle on the Montmelò circuit.
Alfa Romeo Racing 2022 F1 car
Photo by: Alfa Romeo
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