Teams finally agree to run 2017 preseason testing in Barcelona

F1 teams have finally agreed to run the two 2017 preseason test sessions in Barcelona, after Mercedes led a push to move them to Bahrain.

Pirelli had also been arguing for the Bahrain test and a chance to run in hot weather. However, Article 10.6d of the F1 Sporting Regulations says that testing cannot take place “on any track located outside Europe without the agreement of the majority of teams and the FIA.”

In Japan, seven teams signed a letter saying that they would allow it. However, Red Bull maintained throughout that the two sessions should remain in Barcelona, as originally scheduled.

The possibility of a split test, with teams choosing which venue to attend, was tabled. The FIA told teams that it would agree to testing outside Europe, provided the teams all agreed to allow a concurrent test in Barcelona. However, there was no agreement, so on Thursday Charlie Whiting told teams that the conditions for allowing testing to take place outside Europe had not been satisfied.

The subject was discussed further at a meeting between team bosses and Bernie Ecclestone in Austin on Friday, and it was finally accepted by all that the tests would stay in Barcelona.

However there is now a move to cancel the in-season test scheduled to take place after the Spanish GP in May, and instead stay on for testing in Bahrain after the race there.