F1 fans have taken to social media to express their anger and frustration at the first pre-season test of 2022 not being broadcast on TV, nor being open to in-person spectators.
Teams will have three days of testing in Barcelona from 23-25 February, before heading to Bahrain next month for another three days of pre-season testing just ahead of the season-opener.
However, while the second test in Sakhir will be broadcast on TV, the first one is being conducted behind closed doors – and many F1 fans are unhappy with this.
A number of fans who were keen to get a first look at the new generation of Formula 1 cars on the track have taken to social media to express their disappointment with the Barcelona test not being shown to the public.
One user suggested he was “genuinely surprised” by some spectators being unhappy with this decision, saying “it’s like getting angry because you can’t watch Roger Federer trying a new racket on the practice court.”
However, others were quick to insist that this isn’t a fair comparison and stressed that fans were unhappy because previous pre-season tests were broadcast.
Another social media user said F1 fans feel “cheated” by the decision to hold the Barcelona test behind closed doors.
The second pre-season test, which will take place at the Sakhir International Circuit, will run from 10-12 March. In-person spectators will be allowed, and all the action will be broadcast live on Sky F1.
The first race of 2022, the Bahrain Grand Prix, will run at the same venue just over a week later.