02/10/2015
NEWS STORY
Teams anticipating the busiest schedule in the history of Formula One next season, no longer have the comfort zone of knowing that the season doesn't begin until April.
As a result of the season opener in Melbourne being moved forward two weeks, testing schedules have also been impacted.
Originally, the two four-day tests, both taking place at Barcelona, were scheduled for 1 - 4 March and 15 - 18 March.
However, the rescheduling of the race in Melbourne means testing will now get underway on 22 February (four days) and resume on 1 March (again four days).
Other than moving the tests forward, the gap between the two has now shrunk from two weeks to one, thereby adding to the pressure.
All of which will have a knock-on effect of the launches, though in recent years most of the cars have been unveiled at the test track; those glitzy affairs at Sicilian amphitheatres, opera houses and Alexandra Palace a distant memory.
Although not officially confirmed, there is talk of one in-season test, which is currently planned for the days following the Spanish GP, again at Barcelona.