Bahrain beats UAE in race for F1 pre-season testing

Bahrain will host two pre-season Formula One testing sessions in 2014 after beating competition from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, but quotes attributed to Martin Whitmarsh are sure to ruffle a few feathers.


The suitability of current venue Jerez was called into question by F1's official tyre suppliers, Pirelli, earlier this year after teams and drivers complained that the Spanish track had become too abrasive and therefore detrimental to testing.

While Jerez is being retained as the European venue, a location for warm-weather testing ahead of the start of the 2014 season had been requested by most teams, with vital changes set to be made to the cars’ engines.

The introduction of 1.6-litre V6 turbo-charged powerplants to replace the current 2.4-litre V8s is one of the most pivotal changes in F1 in years, and as a result, engine manufacturers are keen for testing to commence earlier than usual, with a January start pencilled in.

As well as the Yas Marina Circuit – the host of the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – and the Dubai Autodrome, Qatar’s Losail Circuit was also under consideration to host the testing sessions.

However, a decision to host testing in Bahrain was made during a meeting of team managers ahead of this weekend’s Korean Grand Prix.

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh said: "The idea is that you get into some temperature testing and, if you look at the Middle East, Abu Dhabi is not a good circuit for testing, and Dubai is a bit Mickey Mouse.

"The best circuit for testing out there is Bahrain, so that is why we are going there."

Whitmarsh’s “Mickey Mouse” comments will not go down well with the Dubai Autodrome, with the circuit keen and qualified to host testing were it to be selected.

In April, FIA F1 Race Director Charlie Whiting renewed the Autodrome’s FIA Grade 1 Circuit License making it eligible to host a fully fledged Formula 1 test.

With the Bahrain Grand Prix staged during the very early stages of the season, it was thought Bahrain had initially been removed as a possible option for testing, with fears the race could become a procession if teams and drivers had used the circuit for testing just weeks prior.

The Bahrain International Circuit will host its 10th Grand Prix next season having hosted it's first race in April 2004.

Source: Sport360