F1 testing: Bahrain and Hungary to stage 2017's in-season tests
Two-day sessions at Sakhir in April and the Hungaroring in August
Wednesday 19 April 2017 11:08, UK
Bahrain and Hungary will host F1's two in-season tests in 2017, replacing Barcelona and Silverstone.
The pair of two-day sessions, to take place in April and August respectively, will allow all teams chances to work on developments for their all-new 2017 cars away from the pressures of a race weekend.
A post-race test in Bahrain had appeared guaranteed after a proposal from some teams and Pirelli to conduct winter testing in the Middle Eastern country failed to gain sufficient support.
Bahrain stages the third round of the 2017 season and the post-race test will take place on the Tuesday and Wednesday after the race, on April 18-19.
Teams will then get their second chance to test after the Hungarian GP, with a two-day session pencilled in for the start of the summer break on August 1-2.
The one caveat imposed by the FIA is that each team gives two of the four days over to drivers who have competed in no more than two grands prix.
The sporting regulations for 2017 also include the provision for a post-session tyre test immediately after the season finale in Abu Dhabi to try 2018's Pirellis.
"One test, for the sole purpose of providing all competitors with the chance to test the tyre specifications to be used the following season, of two consecutive days' duration carried out on the circuit at which the last Event of the Championship was held, such test commencing no less than 36 hours after the end of the Event," state the regulations.
