How to follow and watch F1 pre-season testing

After a long winter break, Formula 1 is back underway and almost ready for a new season, but first, it’s the small matter of pre-season testing in Barcelona. 

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will stage a reduced winter testing programme in 2020 with two three-day tests over the next fortnight, giving all 10 teams with that all-important first chance to run their new cars in anger. 

Here’s all the information you need to know on how to follow and watch F1 pre-season testing live in 2020. 

When is F1 pre-season testing taking place? 

The opening F1 pre-season test begins on Wednesday February 19, running for three days until Friday February 21. 

After a four-day break, testing resumes at the Spanish Grand Prix venue on Wednesday February 26, concluding three days later on February 28. 

Each day will feature eight hours of on-track running, going from 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm local time (GMT+1), with a one-hour break for lunch on each of the six days. 

Session running times are subject to change throughout the day. 

Where is F1 pre-season testing being held? 

Both winter tests are being held at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya near Montmelo, on the outskirts of Barcelona. The track plays host to the Spanish Grand Prix and has done every year since it joined the calendar in 1991. 

Who’s taking part in F1 pre-season testing? 

All 10 teams competing in f1 this year will feature in both tests in Barcelona, running a combination of their regular race drivers and reserve/test drivers. 

F1 will once again be broadcasting pre-season testing live through its live streaming platform, F1 TV. 

For its second year of coverage, F1 has expanded its testing plans to allow fans to follow the track action in greater detail than ever before. 

Teams are no longer allowed to use screens to shield their garages and cars, unless their car needs to be repaired following a crash or technical failure. 

F1 TV will broadcast testing from 9am to 1pm and from 2pm to 6pm (all CET) throughout testing, while making various on-demand content available for its viewers. 

One new initiative will include coverage of a press conference featuring drivers and team representatives which will be run during each one of the six lunch-breaks. F1 also promises an improved live timing experience through its official F1 App. 

UK viewers will once again be able to watch live coverage of testing on Sky Sports F1, with all eight hours of running from each day featured for the first time. A round-up review show - The Story So Far - will follow each day of on-track running. 

How else can I follow testing?

Crash.net will be providing live text commentary from the paddock at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, keeping you up to date with the latest developments on and off-track.

We will also be supplying hourly result updates, as well as reports at the end of each session, plus the latest news and analysis.

Make sure to visit back to Crash.net for the beginning of our live blog early on Wednesday morning, as well as following our F1 channels on Twitter and Facebook.