F1 Testing 2020?
Discussion
Thinking about going out to Barcelona in February for one of the tests.
Anyone been out recently that could share some advice on attending?
Is week 1 or 2 better for running? Is it worth going for Wed/Thurs/Friday? Or is one day busier than others?
When do the top teams/drivers do the most running?
Anyone been out recently that could share some advice on attending?
Is week 1 or 2 better for running? Is it worth going for Wed/Thurs/Friday? Or is one day busier than others?
When do the top teams/drivers do the most running?
Everything depends on the weather - in 2018 the first test was affected by low temperatures, and even snow.
Nobody learns anything significant if the track temperatures are too low, the only thing to do is constant-speed aero runs, at less than 100mph, with the car festooned with sensors. Given that most teams will only have one car completed at that point, and they're only allowed to use one car at each test anyway, they won't risk binning it, so the work is mostly aero runs, reliability testing, and "proof of concept" stuff.
If the weather is warm, then you should see some meaningful running, but it will usually be what I've mentioned above, although there will be the occasional sponsor-pleasing low fuel/soft tyre run to boost morale.
Nobody learns anything significant if the track temperatures are too low, the only thing to do is constant-speed aero runs, at less than 100mph, with the car festooned with sensors. Given that most teams will only have one car completed at that point, and they're only allowed to use one car at each test anyway, they won't risk binning it, so the work is mostly aero runs, reliability testing, and "proof of concept" stuff.
If the weather is warm, then you should see some meaningful running, but it will usually be what I've mentioned above, although there will be the occasional sponsor-pleasing low fuel/soft tyre run to boost morale.
Book your flights to Girona or Barcelona now, get cheap accomodation in Lloret de Mar or similar and make a week of it.
It's a great day (or more if you want) out if the weather is good and the cars are all running but you've got yourself a cheap holiday if not. Done it a couple of times as a small group and it's worth the visit.
Lloret is less than an hours drive but there will be people sharing mininbuses etc most days
Or you can stay in Barcelona if you want a bit (well a lot really!) more culture.
You have to be really into your F1 though since it's more "geeky interesting" than "exciting" ...
It's a great day (or more if you want) out if the weather is good and the cars are all running but you've got yourself a cheap holiday if not. Done it a couple of times as a small group and it's worth the visit.
Lloret is less than an hours drive but there will be people sharing mininbuses etc most days
Or you can stay in Barcelona if you want a bit (well a lot really!) more culture.
You have to be really into your F1 though since it's more "geeky interesting" than "exciting" ...
Some of the teams offer hospitality packages to us 'mere fans' for the testing giving access to the hospitality units, paddock and in garage viewing areas. The tickets are a couple of hundred quid so not exactly cheap but for the access you get probably not too bad - and significantly less than you'd fork out for similar at a race.
I've not done this myself but know a few who have who reported it to be very good.
I've not done this myself but know a few who have who reported it to be very good.
StevieBee said:
Some of the teams offer hospitality packages to us 'mere fans' for the testing giving access to the hospitality units, paddock and in garage viewing areas. The tickets are a couple of hundred quid so not exactly cheap but for the access you get probably not too bad - and significantly less than you'd fork out for similar at a race.
I've not done this myself but know a few who have who reported it to be very good.
I visited Barcelona last year and it's a really pleasant place. Could make a good city break combined with a couple of days of testing.I've not done this myself but know a few who have who reported it to be very good.
The only thing is that testing is so misleading that whatever you're enjoying watching on track is most of the time something of an illusion.
I'll consider heading over but if not, will definitely be watching from home again at least. This year the sky live coverage and commentary was really good. There wasn't much drama to get over excited about so they had no option but to fill the air time by digging deep into the technical aspect of each car. Karun in particular showed off a real depth of knowledge.
Thanks gents.
Booked return flight for the second week for £50.
Hotels within about 30 minutes are already going up in price.
I’m more than happy watch the teams run aero tests or even pitstops etc, I want to see the teams running the current F1 cars in person and the also the Circuit de Catalunya.
What is parking like at Catalunya and are the pits/grandstand open with a public ticket or is hospitality/team access required?
Booked return flight for the second week for £50.
Hotels within about 30 minutes are already going up in price.
I’m more than happy watch the teams run aero tests or even pitstops etc, I want to see the teams running the current F1 cars in person and the also the Circuit de Catalunya.
What is parking like at Catalunya and are the pits/grandstand open with a public ticket or is hospitality/team access required?
HardtopManual said:
I went in 2017 because I wanted to check out the new, wider cars and get some good photos of them without the crowding of a race weekend. Testing was great for that. Have to say, I'd have been looking at 2021 when there'll be something a bit more radical to see.
I'm tempted for 2021, would be a good little winter jolly away as well.cdon said:
Thinking about going out to Barcelona in February for one of the tests.
Anyone been out recently that could share some advice on attending?
Is week 1 or 2 better for running? Is it worth going for Wed/Thurs/Friday? Or is one day busier than others?
When do the top teams/drivers do the most running?
I have been every year for the turbo hybrid era plus one year of the screamers.Anyone been out recently that could share some advice on attending?
Is week 1 or 2 better for running? Is it worth going for Wed/Thurs/Friday? Or is one day busier than others?
When do the top teams/drivers do the most running?
It depends what you want to see and do!
A general admission ticket gets you access to the outside of the circuit, the main grandstand and the grandstand down on turn one.. you can go through the tunnel to the inside of turn one which puts you back on the outside of the circuit.
You can get good photos if that’s your thing..
You can buy a pits walk about at lunch time, but it’s heaving also there is not a lot to see car wise as there all put away.
As others have said join a team for the day on a hospitality day it will cost 500 to 600 quid red bull do them, its a great day, you get to be in the paddock, will be looked after all day long it’s a gepreat experience.
You can buy a piso box access above the pits but you get no access to the paddock.
If you have any questions let me know..
Thanks. Good change imo,
The new rules sound pretty thorough.. So much exposure will no doubt help some teams get a little closer to one another before the GP season starts proper.
The new rules sound pretty thorough.. So much exposure will no doubt help some teams get a little closer to one another before the GP season starts proper.
Motosport said:
The rules state that: “no screen, cover or other obstruction which in any way obscures any part of a car will be allowed at any time in the paddock, garages, pit lane or grid, unless it is clear any such covers are needed solely for mechanical reasons.”
There are also specific bans on:
There are also specific bans on:
- Engine, gearbox or radiator covers whilst engines are being changed or moved around the garage.
- Covers over spare wings when they are on a stand in the pit lane not being used.
- Parts such as (but not limited to) spare floors, fuel rigs or tool trolleys may not be used as an obstruction.
Megaflow said:
I’m tempted this time, you can now get a paddock access ticket for €109 directly from the circuit, and the cars will not be behind screens when not running.
Anyone know if you can buy paddock tickets at the circuit? Online looks to be sold out, and the circuit’s own website seems to be down.Gassing Station | Formula 1 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff