Barcelona preview: Everything you need to know ahead of the final test of the winter

Running from Thursday through to Sunday, and broadcast live and in 3D on Sky from 2pm on all four days, this is the test which will finally separate the men from the boys as the teams make their final preparations for the 2013 season...

What exactly will we see during the coverage?
As much of the 2013 cars as we can show! You'll see the new challengers with their final winter updates out on track as the teams complete their preparations for the 2013 season. Who has access to Sky 3D?
The Sky 3D channel is available at no extra cost to Sky customers with the Sky World package, the HD pack and a 3D TV. To find out more, visit sky.com. And to learn more about Sky Sports F1, visit our channel hub. How can I follow the test when live coverage isn't being broadcast?
Sky Sports News will be providing regular updates from trackside on all four days, while the channel's website will have live interactive coverage from dawn to dusk on Thursday through to Sunday. Will there still be a 9pm report on the night of the four days of testing?
Yes, there will be a 9pm report, hosted and narrated by Sky Sports' Rachel Brookes, on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. And a Ted Kravitz notebook at 9.15pm?
Yup, the essential viewing that is a Ted Notebook will be going to air on Sky Sports F1 at 9.15pm on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. On Friday, Ted will be appearing on The F1 Show instead. What time is The F1 Show on air on Friday night then?
This week's edition will be broadcast immediately after the live coverage at 4.30pm. The programme will then be repeated at 8pm on Friday night and at midnight. The Sky Sports F1 Barcelona test schedule in full
Thursday 28th February
2pm - Day One of the Barcelona test, Live!
9pm - Day One Report.
9.15pm - Ted's Day One Notebook. Friday 1st March
2pm - Day Two of the Barcelona test, Live!
4.30pm - The F1 Show.
9pm - Day Two Report. Saturday 2nd March
2pm - Day Three of the Barcelona test, Live!
9pm - Day Three Report.
9.15pm - Ted's Day Three Notebook. Sunday 3rd March
2pm - Day Four of the Barcelona test, Live!
9pm - Day Four Report.
9.15pm - Ted's Day Four Notebook. Why the Circuit de Catalunya?
Familiarity breeds assurance - or on the flip side, worry - for teams when it comes to testing their new cars at the long-time Spanish GP venue. Having gathered so much data from the Barcelona track over the years - and, most recently, only last week at the first of two back-to-back tests - they will leave Spain on Sunday night here with a much better idea of whether or not they have a competitive car on their hands for the new season. By common consent, the 2.89-mile track, 16 corner layout is a true test of a car - and especially its aerodynamics. The old adage that a car that is quick around Barcelona is invariably quick everywhere largely lends itself to the fact that the circuit contains several aerodynamically-demanding, 200kph-plus sweeping corners - particularly Turns Three, Nine (Campsa) and Sixteen (the final corner). The revised end of the lap, with its slow tight chicane section, also puts a car's traction to the test while tyres in general are put through more of a work out, especially the front-left, owing to the number of right-handed turns (nine). Who's driving when?
Red Bull: Mark Webber (Days One and Three); Sebastian Vettel (Days Two and Four).
Ferrari: Felipe Massa (Days One and Three); Fernando Alonso (Days Two and Four).
Mercedes: Lewis Hamilton (Days One and Three); Nico Rosberg (Days Two and Four).
Lotus: Romain Grosjean (Days One and Two); Kimi Raikkonen (Days Three and Four).
McLaren: Sergio Perez (Days One and Three); Jenson Button (Days Two and Four).
Force India: Paul di Resta (Day One); TBC - Days Two, Three and Four.
Sauber: Esteban Gutierrez (Days One and Three); Nico Hulkenberg (Days Two and Four).
Williams: Valtteri Bottas (Days One, Three and Four); Pastor Maldonado (Days Two, Three and Four).
Toro Rosso: Jean-Eric Vergne (Days One and Three); Daniel Ricciardo (Days Two and Four).
Caterham: Charles Pic (Days One and Four); Giedo van der Garde (Days Two and Four). TBC.
Marussia: Max Chilton (Day One); TBC - Days Two, Three and Four.