Key Dates for the Winter in Formula 1

After 19 Grand Prix and more than eight months away from home, the F1 teams have earned a bit of rest. Starting this week, a few days of vacation for everyone, before an already packed schedule. Here are the key dates of this 2013/2014 winter in Formula 1.

December 2013

Before starting the 2014 season, the 2013 season still needs to be finalized, and of course, there’s the inevitable gala awards dinner organized by the FIA every year. After Monaco, New Delhi, and Istanbul, the FIA has decided to hold the ceremony in Paris this year, and the evening will take place on Friday, December 6, from 7:00 PM to 12:30 AM with a strict dress code as indicated on the FIA’s official website.

In other words, there will be plenty of distinguished guests as the FIA will be presenting the trophy to the drivers’ champion Sebastian Vettel and also to the constructors’ champion team Infiniti Red Bull Racing that evening. This event will also honor other champions of motorsport.

Most of the drivers will be on leave for the entire month of December, but some of them will continue working at the factory.

On the Maranello side, Fernando Alonso has decided to work with his teams to prepare well for the next season and especially to adapt to the new regulations that will evolve significantly. “We will use these days when we are already in Italy to spend more time in the simulator and to carry out work sessions regarding next year’s regulations,” said Alonso. The Ferrari Asturian will take leave on December 21st for Christmas.

Sebastian Vettel, four-time world champion, will take some time off with his family but does not rule out returning to the factory a week or two early in January due to the complexity of the 2014 regulations.

For Lewis Hamilton, no respite, the Mercedes driver, dissatisfied with his performances this 2013 season, will work with his engineers at the factory and expects to have a very studious winter, reminiscent of the winter of 2006, the eve of his first F1 season.

January 2014

In January, there will, of course, be the traditional presentations of the cars ahead of the first winter tests, but the teams have not yet given official dates. Straddling the end of 2013 and the first month of 2014, there will also be the very important crash tests that must validate the homologation of the cars, a moment always very stressful for the teams that must line up in the F1 World Championship with cars that are not only fast but also ensure maximum safety for the drivers—especially since last year, F1 cars must pass the crash test before they can run, even in tests. On this subject, according to *Auto Motor und Sport*, Caterham might be the first to bring its 2014 car to the FIA bench as early as next week.

Then come the first private tests from January 28 to 31, 2014 at the Jerez circuit in Spain. It is worth noting that they take place one week earlier than in 2013, to allow engine manufacturers to review their designs in case of any issues with the new 1.6L V6 Turbo engines.

February 2014

New for 2014: Teams will head to Bahrain at the Sakhir circuit for testing from February 19 to 22 for the first session and from February 27 to March 2 for the second.

Exit therefore the Circuit de Catalunya, which was in recent years the usual circuit for private testing alongside Jerez.

This relocation to the Middle East will allow Pirelli to have its tires undergo more rigorous testing—in terms of temperatures, in particular—in order to better prepare for the challenges of the 2014 season.