Only 24 hours: Schumacher & Co. test under XXL time pressure

The palm trees around the Bahrain International Circuit are deceptive. There can be no question of vacation mode for Formula 1 in the Sakhir desert. The teams only have three days with 24 hours of pure testing time on the asphalt from this Friday (8.00 a.m.) to prepare for the start of the season.

Especially for a newcomer like Mick Schumacher, every second counts. “I want to gain as much experience as possible and learn as much as possible for the first race,” announced the 21-year-old. Schumacher wants to use every second The son of Formula 1 record world champion Michael Schumacher is making his eagerly awaited debut in the premier class of motorsport in the Haas. After intensive physical training over the winter months, including strengthening the heavily strained neck muscles, the Formula 2 champion now has to study the driving behavior of his new car under real-time conditions.

Schumacher & Co. will test in Bahrain. © POOL / BRYN LENNON

“We have to collect data for the team, but also our own experiences,” said Schumacher, formulating the goal for the only official test drives in which he wants to get in the mood for the XXL season with 23 races with Russian newcomer Nikita Masepin. The German opens the practice laps on the Grand Prix circuit for Haas.

In 2020, Formula 1 tested for six days in Barcelona, and in the previous year it was even eight. After the Australian Grand Prix opener was postponed to autumn due to corona, the warmup was moved to Bahrain, where the start of the season will also take place on March 28th. Logistically it is more practical this year This means that the desert state is suddenly also logistically practical for the racing teams. “We have been talking about driving in Bahrain instead of somewhere in Europe for years, but it was always not possible for cost reasons,” said Merano Haas team boss Günther Steiner. This time Bahrain is even “financially better” because the cars and infrastructure will remain in place until the first race.

The established drivers such as world champion Lewis Hamilton or Sebastian Vettel will not experience a completely new driving experience - even if the German, after six years at Ferrari, now has to adapt to a completely new team with a Mercedes engine in the Aston Martin.

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Only 24 hours: Schumacher & Co. test under XXL time pressure

The maximum is one and a half days. None of the Formula 1 drivers are likely to get more testing time in Bahrain. Especially a newcomer like Mick Schumacher has to complete his program quickly. Mistakes are not forgiven in the desert of Sakhir.

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