Formula 1's 2017 cars will be in action for the first time in late-February with pre-season testing set to take place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on February 27.
Teams had given consideration to moving testing away from Europe, with Pirelli pushing for a warmer climate such as Bahrain or Abu Dhabi, in order to fully test its new wider, more durable tyres.
However that proposal has been rejected, particularly as Pirelli have been granted 25 days in-season testing this season in order to develop its new tyres, with several tests planned for warmer climates starting with Red Bull at Abu Dhabi in October.
Both pre-season tests will therefore take place at the Barcelona circuit, each lasting four days.
The first is scheduled for February 27 to March 2, with the second taking place just four days later between March 7 and 10.
Unlike previous seasons, when teams would delay their new car debut until the second test, it's believed all will debut before or at the first test because of the scale of the changes planned for 2017, which will see wider tyres, a wider chassis, lower wings and a more aggressive overall look.
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