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The 2022 Formula 1 season will commence with a three-day test at Barcelona this week, after years of anticipation for the introduction of F1’s new regulations.
It will mark the first time the 2022 machines have collectively tested together as all of the teams have individually conducted a filming day ahead of the Barcelona test.
Each of the 10 teams run a single car on each of the three days of testing, with most teams opting to split driving time equally among their 2022 race drivers – although some teams have elected to give their test and reserve driver an outing too.
We take a look at all of the confirmed driver line-ups so far for the Barcelona test which kicks off on Wednesday.
Mercedes
Wednesday – George Russell (AM), Lewis Hamilton (PM)
Thursday – TBC
Friday – TBC
Mercedes is keeping its cards close to its chest as it has only announced its driver line-up for the opening day so far with George Russell diving in the morning and Lewis Hamilton then taking the wheel for the afternoon.
In years gone by, Mercedes has shifted its line-up around to attempt to give both of its race drivers equal running, often happy to re-adjust its schedule if a driver experiences limited running in a session.
Red Bull
Wednesday – Max Verstappen
Thursday – Sergio Perez
Friday – Max Verstappen (AM), Sergio Perez (PM)
Defending champion Max Verstappen will kick off Red Bull’s 2022 season by driving the RB18 on the opening day of the test.
His team-mate Sergio Perez will drive on Thursday and the duo will split driving duties on the third and final day of the test.
Ferrari
Wednesday – Charles Leclerc (AM), Carlos Sainz (PM)
Thursday – TBC
Friday – TBC
The Ferrari has already run twice before the start of pre-season testing, and both drivers will again get a taste of the new F1-75 on the opening day, with Charles Leclerc handing over to Carlos Sainz at the mid-day break.
McLaren
Wednesday – Lando Norris
Thursday – TBC
Friday – TBC
Lando Norris, newly extended by McLaren through 2025, will take charge of its testing programme on the opening day in Barcelona.
Alpine
Wednesday – Fernando Alonso
Thursday – Esteban Ocon
Friday – Fernando Alonso (AM), Esteban Ocon (PM)
Two-time F1 champion Fernando Alonso will have the Alpine A522 all to himself during the opening day of the test, before handing over the Esteban Ocon on Thursday.
The pair will then do a session each on the closing day.
AlphaTauri
Wednesday – Yuki Tsunoda
Thursday – Pierre Gasly
Friday – Pierre Gasly (AM), Yuki Tsunoda (PM)
Yuki Tsunoda and Pierre Gasly will get a further chance to sample AlphaTauri’s 2022 challenger, having completed a shakedown with the AT03 at Misano last week.
Tsunoda will drive on the opening day before handing over driving duties to Gasly on Thursday. The pair will split the driving on Friday.
Aston Martin
Wednesday – Sebastian Vettel (AM), Lance Stroll (PM)
Thursday – Lance Stroll (AM), Sebastian Vettel (PM)
Friday – Sebastian Vettel (AM), Lance Stroll (PM)
Aston Martin has chosen to split driving duties evenly among its 2022 race drivers. Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel will kick things off on Wednesday morning before handing over to Lance Stroll for the afternoon.
Stroll will then drive on Thursday morning and Friday afternoon, while Vettel will test on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.
Williams
Wednesday – Nicholas Latifi (AM), Alexander Albon (PM)
Thursday – Alexander Albon (AM), Nicholas Latifi (PM)
Friday – Nicholas Latifi (AM), Alexander Albon (PM)
Williams’ returning driver Nicholas Latifi will get the British outfit’s test underway before handing over to ex-Red Bull F1 driver Alexander Albon as he prepares for his first season with Williams.
The duo will continue to split driving duties with half a day each on both Thursday and Friday.
Alfa Romeo
Wednesday – Robert Kubica (AM), Valtteri Bottas (PM)
Thursday – Valtteri Bottas (AM), Guanyu Zhou (PM)
Friday – Guanyu Zhou (AM), Valtteri Bottas (PM)
Formula 1 rookie Guanyu Zhou will get just one day of running aboard the new Alfa Romeo during this week’s pre-season test.
Robert Kubica, who started two F1 grands prix for Alfa last year in place of the COVID-positive Kimi Raikkonen, will drive on Wednesday morning before handing over to Mercedes convert Valtteri Bottas in the afternoon.
Bottas will stay in the car on Thursday morning before giving Zhou his first run at the test on Thursday afternoon. Zhou will drive on Friday morning with Bottas returning for Friday afternoon.
Haas
Wednesday – Nikita Mazepin (AM), Mick Schumacher (PM)
Thursday – Mick Schumacher (AM), Nikita Mazepin (PM)
Friday – Nikita Mazepin (AM), Mick Schumacher (PM)
Haas will split its three days evenly between its two returning race drivers Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin, who will both be competing in their second F1 season.
Mazepin will open the test on Wednesday morning with Schumacher ending the test on Friday afternoon, and plenty of swapping in-between.
Ferrari, McLaren and Alpine are yet to confirm who will be driving.
