MAY 11, 2013

2014 winter season to begin in January

May 11 (GMM) F1's winter test season will kick off early ahead of the 2014 championship.

May 11 (GMM) F1's winter test season will kick off early ahead of the 2014 championship.

Normally, pre-season running doesn't begin until February, but because of the radical new rules next year - including the shift to turbo V6 engines - some teams have been pushing for more testing.

That hasn't happened, but the teams have agreed to push forward the first of next year's three winter tests to January.

McLaren's sporting director Sam Michael also revealed: "There's the possibility of a non-European test or tests.

"I think there'll be a test in January and two in February."

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport said the first test, in January, is likely to take place at Jerez, Spain.

Renault engine boss Rob White said the limited test programme is no big problem, despite the huge regulation changes.

"We can do a lot of development work on the test rigs," he said.

(GMM)