Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is ready to be, once again, the venue of the complete preseason of the 2019 FIA Formula One Championship™, which is filled with changes this year, especially as regards driver line-ups. The green lights will be turned on next Monday 18 February to mark the start of the first test day. The first test week will last until 21 February and the second test week will be staged from 26 February to 1 March.
In total, 10 teams and 20 drivers. Only 8 of them have stayed in the same teams as last year. The rest has been a cocktail of new incorporations and contract shuffling. All those attending will be able to witness the world debut of local driver Carlos Sainz with McLaren. The Spaniard has taken over from Fernando Alonso and will be lapping on the Catalan track with the new MCL34. One of Red Bull’s prodigal sons, Daniel Ricciardo, will also be wearing new colours, specifically Renault-yellow; and Charles Leclerc will be dressed in Ferrari-red. The Italians swapped drivers with Alfa Romeo Racing (formerly known as Sauber), as Kimi Räikkönen will now be driving for them. Pierre Gasly will be joining Max Verstappen at Red Bull. Only Mercedes and Haas are keeping the same pair as in 2018: current world champion, Lewis Hamilton and Finish driver Valteri Bottas, at the wheel of a silver arrow; Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen with the American squad.
There will also be new faces, those of the World Championship rookies: Lando Norris (McLaren), Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo), Alexander Albon (Toro Rosso) and George Russell (Williams). These young talented drivers will get their first opportunity, but there will be other already known drivers who will get their second chance: 2019 is the comeback year for Robert Kubica (Williams) and Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso). Team Force India is also having a second chance, this time with the name Racing Point F1 Team.
In only a few days, all of the single-seaters will be showing their changes and new designs on the track, some of which have already been revealed and other yet to be known. The latter is the case of Alfa Romeo. The team will be unveiling the car they will be using this season at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya next Monday 18 February at 8.20 h. The 20 cars will also be using the new Pirelli tyres for the first time. The Italian brand has changed from 7 compounds to only 5, defined by three colours (white, yellow and red) in order to make it easier to understand their use.
Tickets for the F1® Test Days
General tickets can be purchased on the Circuit’s website (www.circuitcat.com) for 18 euros (+ management fees). There are also other ticket modalities for the sports event that include from guided tours to paddock access.
All holders of a ticket for the FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO DE ESPAÑA 2019 will have free admission to the eight test days, as well as Circuit Members and Officials.
Access and Timetable
The box office and Gate 3 will open every day at 8.30h, except on Monday 18 February. On that specific date, Gate 3 will open at 8.00h. Car Park IN6 will be available for spectators (limited spaces). The grandstands that will be open to follow the action during the F1® Test Days will be the Main Grandstand and Grandstands F and G.
The single-seaters will be lapping on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya track from 9.00h to 13.00h and from 14.00h to 18.00h.
For further information: www.circuitcat.com