F1 News: Everything You Need To Know About Formula One Shakedown Runs
As several Formula 1 teams head to the track with their 2024 title contenders for shakedown runs ahead of pre-season testing, there has been some ambiguity about the purpose of such runs and the goal achieved through them. Though they aren't meant to test the full potential of the new cars, they do serve as a basis for the actual performance tests that happen next week.
December onwards, the technical department of all F1 teams becomes highly engaged in developing the car for the upcoming season. Although teams are permitted to run their engines within their facilities, the car is not permitted to be driven on the track once it is prepared.
That is when a shakedown comes into the picture, where teams can pitch their new cars onto a race track for the first time and get a first-hand impression through their drivers. The procedure facilitates acquiring vital feedback about the cars, contributing to a deeper understanding of areas that can be further enhanced.
It is important to note that a shakedown is not meant for drivers to go flat out in the car, the primary reason being the tires that Pirelli exclusively provides for such sessions. The provision of special demo tires to the teams hinders them from gathering specific tire-related data, as the primary objective of a shakedown is to focus on collecting data about other performance parameters.
Shakedowns typically occupy an entire filming day for the teams, dedicated to capturing footage of their newly developed cars. Fortunately, a recent rule adjustment permits F1 teams to run their cars for an extended duration, compared to the previous year.
Before 2024, Formula 1 teams could drive their new cars for 200 kilometers on filming days, split into two 100-kilometer sessions. Now, the total distance allowed has been doubled to 400 kilometers, with teams able to drive up to 200 kilometers in one session. However, it is mandatory for each session to take place on a different day.
Stake/ Sauber, Haas, Red Bull, Ferrari, and Aston Martin F1 teams have already initiated the first laps in their new cars. However, the genuine assessment of the cars' potential will only be unveiled during the pre-season testing in Bahrain, scheduled to occur between 21 and 24 February.
