Formula One analyst worries about test days: 'It will be very difficult like this'

Formula 1 analyst Philipp Eng foresees problems with the limited amount of test days drivers will get this year. Quoted by Speedweek Eng stressed that very little time will be left to get familiar with the new cars for 2023.

Whereas last year the teams had six test days, this year they will have to make do with just three pre-season test days. The test days will take place at the Bahrain circuit from 23 to 25 February.

For the drivers, this means there is not particularly much time left. Just one and a half days per person (assuming the teams divide the time fairly) means that the drivers will have to fervently hope that nothing goes wrong, as precious time will be lost in the process.

'As an established driver it's still going'

Philipp Eng, BMW factory driver and Formula 1 analyst for ServusTV, sees problems especially for new drivers. "In my opinion, it is definitely not ideal. If you are an established driver in a team, like Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing or Lando Norris at McLaren, okay. But if you are new to a team, like Nico Hülkenberg at Haas, for example, it is very difficult for such a driver."

And 'new' drivers abound. Oscar Piastri and Logan Sargeant will drive a Formula 1 race for the first time this year, Nyck de Vries has only one race to his name and that was with another team, Hülkenberg is returning to the sport after a three-year absence, and Pierre Gasly and Fernando Alonso will desperately need the test days to get better acquainted with their new teams.