After Mercedes and Aston Martin, third team signs up for shakedown in Bahrain

The first and only official test in the run-up to the new F1 season starts on February 26 in Bahrain, but one day before it already looks set to be a busy time at the Middle Eastern circuit. Previously, GPblog was able to report that Aston Martin and Mercedes will hold a filming day in Bahrain the day before winter testing starts, now GPBlog can confirm that a third team will join them.

F1 teams are allowed a filming day twice a year, during which a total of 200 kilometres may be covered on each day. These filming days are often used by the teams for a 'shakedown'. This allows them to check whether everything is working as it should before the test and identify or even fix any problems right away. This is the main reason for Aston Martin and Mercedes sending their new cars onto the track in Bahrain the day before the test.

Williams has also confirmed to this site that a filming day will be held on February 25, also at the Bahrain circuit. This will provide a chance for Alexander Albon and his new team-mate Carlos Sainz to get a first taste of their new car, although the kilometre they'll get to drive is therefore limited.

Ferrari and Racing Bulls, meanwhile, have also revealed that they will do a shakedown during a filming day. Ferrari will hold theirs on February 19, while Red Bull Racing's sister team will test its car on February 17. Alpine has also announced it will hold a filming day ahead of the Bahrain test, but the date and venue are still unknown.