Fernando Alonso Criticizes Formula 1’s Three Days Pre-Season Testing Restriction

Fernando Alonso expresses bewilderment over Formula 1’s decision to limit pre-season testing to three days with each team allowed only one car on the track despite having the parts for two. The testing starting at the Sakhir circuit means each driver gets only one full day in the car sharing the other or splitting the sessions. Alonso questions the fairness of this limited preparation time for a new season in a sport with significant financial resources.

He suggests that considering the money and marketing involved, Formula 1 should allow more testing days and potentially use two cars per team during the Bahrain testing especially as the race takes place there the following week. Alonso criticizes the odd number of days and the inability to divide them fairly between drivers.

The pre-season test for 2024 will be held from February 21-23 with the championship’s first practice session starting on February 29. Formula 1 had reduced testing days in 2020 and the trend continues with only three days of pre-season testing in recent years.