Shakedown time
THIS, APPARENTLY, IS HOW THE momentous new Formula 1 car test days used to feel in the ‘old days’. The sharp sun brings everything into focus at Circuit de Catalunya, with team members nipping round the paddock like insects disturbed by a torchlight in a basement. Suddenly turbos burst into life, wasp-like wheel guns whirr and rubber squeals upon getaway, and F1 2022 is all systems go.
Well, sort of. Officially this is a ‘preseason track session’ rather than traditional Testing with a capital T. And the reason for that, as so often with F1, is TV rights. Bahrain has paid significant amounts to have sole broadcast rights for the only other session – happening March 10-12. But without TV crews this has had the effect of Barcelona feeling more special and exclusive.
