Why are the teams testing in Bahrain??

Why, in the age of saving money, does the FIA drag half the teams out to Bahrain to conduct winter testing when they could much more easily and more cheaply go to Paul Ricard, or Silverstone, or Mugello, or somewhere in Europe where the vast majority of teams are built and operated?

Just a thought.

Because it rains in Europe. Alot.

---

surely it doesn't that much in Jerez or somewhere like that though...I'll admit, I don't know what the reason is, but I'm sure someone here can tell us!

Whatever the logic is, they get a major headstart for the actual GP as we've seen in past years.

They test in Bahrain because they want to test with higher temperatures, Ferrari, Toyota and BMW went when all other teams were in Jerez. That 3 teams went to barhain because there were risk of snow in Spain. But In barhain they didnt test properly last time because a sand storm... and in Jerez all other teams tested without problems

The Lopper Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> surely it doesn't that much in Jerez or somewhere
> like that though...

Have you read much about winter testing in Europe this year?

Not much apart from the McLarens sucking and Vettel invariably coming out on top....Why what have I missed?

Don't tell me the south of Spain ain't even safe anymore!

The Lopper Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Not much apart from the McLarens sucking and
> Vettel invariably coming out on top....Why what
> have I missed?
>
> Don't tell me the south of Spain ain't even safe
> anymore!


Portugal: half the tests were rained off.
Jerez: wet, wet, wet (and not the soppy bloody pop group producing 'entertainment' during the lunch)
Barcelona: well, it was damp today... we'll see how the rest of the week pans out
Silverstone: ironically, the driest of all the tracks used (Bahrain excluded)... but probably covered in ice every other day

You get the picture.

Yikes...They need to upgrade the Tabernas Circuit to 1T level...The only circuit in a European desert!

I remember the Toyota guy saying it was cheaper there and provided the correct conditions for them, stuff like that.

The Lopper Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yikes...They need to upgrade the Tabernas Circuit
> to 1T level...The only circuit in a European
> desert!

1T. What's that??

Im assuming he means Catergory 1. Which is the grades that racetracks have. Cat1 circuits are allowed to host Grand Prix. I 'think' that Cat2 circuits can host testing though.

---

no, the minimum testing category is '1T' i believe.

this is what San Marino has got. however, Category 1 tracks can host both races and tests of course.

---

X (@ed24f1)

Schuey Fan's got it...1T means you can hold official F1 tests, but not races. You need 1 for F1 races.

Im supprised Toyota havent made better use of Paul Ricard, which they own.

---

"Trulli was slowing down like he wanted to have a picnic" LOL

I thought Bernie owns it.. :/

Kimi, so, Massa Fernando Sebastian is faster than you. Can you confirm you understood that message?

yes bernie owns it, chet is just being an owl.