Formula 1 Pre-Season Testing 2020

Before each Formula 1 season kicks off in Australia, there are several testing days mid-February in Barcelona — a prime opportunity for photographing F1 cars without large crowds in the way. We went on days 1 and 2 of the first week of testing. Having seen F1 cars drive around a circuit in person for the first time in those days, I can confirm that they’re very fast and very loud.

Photography Gear

My dad lent me some of his photography gear for the trip (thanks again):

• Sony Alpha 77
• Sigma AF 70-210mm f/4
• Minolta AF Reflex 500mm f/8

The autofocus of the Sigma lens was a tad bit slow for panning shots, but with burst mode and large enough memory cards (and practice) it worked out fine.

Gallery

Depending on how the Corona situation further unfolds this year, pre-season testing might have been the only time we saw these cars on track. Let’s see.