Teams make winter test plans for mid-March 2013 opener

Jul.26 (GMM) F1 teams are already making plans for winter testing.

Auto Motor und Sport reports that provisional plans are already being made for the teams to reveal and test their 2013 cars for the first time from February 5 next year.

The date of the first test, set for Jerez, is based on the fact that - according to the Melbourne organiser - Australia is provisionally scheduled to host the 2013 season opener on March 17 "subject to FOM confirmation".

The teams are therefore already setting dates for the 12 days of pre-season winter testing, which will be divided into three four-day tests.

Image from a winter test.

Photo by: xpb.cc

The German report said the teams have agreed to simply scrap a mid-season test.

Auto Motor und Sport revealed that teams will after Jerez then move to Barcelona in mid-February, and then stay at the Circuit de Catalunya for a third and final test until 3 March.

"There is a contingency plan," said McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh, "in the event that we race in Melbourne on 10 March."

In that case, the February testing plans will be moved forward by a week.

That could, however, create a problem for the opening Jerez test, because Auto Motor und Sport says the Spanish venue is already booked for other activities prior to 5 February.