F1 teams will have more private tests in 2024
The teams engaged in the F1 World Championship in 2024 will be able to benefit from a larger number of kilometers within the framework of their promotional shootings.
Over the seasons, private or winter testing has been reduced to a bare minimum for F1 teams. For example, in 2023, only three days were offered to them before the first Grand Prix of the season to test their new single-seaters.
In addition to these official test days bringing together all 10 teams, they also have the right to two sessions of 100 kilometers each for promotional filming purposes, which Red Bull and partners usually use as a « shakedown », that is to say as the first ride of their new car. These two sessions can thus take place on the same day.
It is precisely this type of tests that will be increased in terms of mileage. The FIA World Motor Sport Council has indeed decided to double it, thus going from twice 100 kilometers to twice 200 kilometers allowed. For example, for a circuit like Silverstone, the teams will be able to perform up to 33 laps instead of 16 so far.
The teams will not be completely free during these trials which will now necessarily take place over two separate days. The tires provided will be demonstration tires while the electronic control unit (or ECU, one of the six elements that make up the turbo-hybrid engine), will be supplied by the FIA.
Furthermore, each team will be allowed to carry out two demonstration runs of a maximum of 50 kilometers. These runs can be carried out without informing the other teams, which is not the case in the context of promotional shoots.
Finally, if a team wishes to run a two-year-old single-seater as part of private testing, to give a young driver the chance to test an F1 for example, it will not have the right to use a part that has not already participated in a race, that is to say, it is not approved by the FIA. More running time does not mean more freedom according to the governing body of F1.
