07/01/2007
NEWS STORY
Although all the teams will race on Bridgestone rubber this year, the pre-season test schedule remains as complicated as ever as teams opt to do much of their preliminary work in private.
Several teams are being precious about their pre-season plans - Williams (thankfully) being the main exception - leaving Bridgestone in the dark when it comes to who will be where in the coming weeks.
With the first launch (Toyota) taking place at the end of the week, and McLaren and BMW launching just days later, the initial schedule looks something like this.
Testing for the 2007 season will get underway at both Jerez and Valencia on January 16, with Williams and Renault at Jerez and McLaren and BMW at Valencia, where both the British and German teams are holding their launches.
McLaren continue testing at Valencia on January 24, having exclusive use of the Spanish track, while Honda is understood to be in action at Barcelona. also, Spyker is expected to be on track at Silverstone, weather permitting.
At least six teams are confirmed for Valencia beginning January 30, with another major test to get underway at Jerez on February 6.
From February 12, at least five teams are in action at Barcelona, while only Williams and Spyker are confirmed for Valencia from February 19.
Renault and McLaren will carry out a number of days testing at Sakhir (Bahrain) beginning February 22, while Williams is back at Barcelona from February 27.
As we receive more information we'll advise you.