LONDON - Formula One will have more races than ever next year but less testing, with the number of pre-season days in Spain reduced from eight to six and tests during the season scrapped altogether.
Formula One announced on Friday that two three-day winter tests will be held at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya from February 19 to 21 and 26 to 28.
Two in-season tests were also held this year in Bahrain and Barcelona but, with a record 22 races scheduled next year, those have been cancelled.
Formula One said the emphasis would be on teams using Friday free practice at grand prix weekends to test parts.
According to the draft calendar released in late August, the season will start in Australia on March 15 and end in Abu Dhabi on November 29.
The season will feature seven back-to-backs, or races on consecutive weekends.
As was expected, the German Grand Prix, part of this year's calendar of 21 races, will not be a part of next year's schedule.
Vietnam will host its first race through the streets of capital Hanoi on April 5, while the Dutch Grand Prix will make its Formula One return after 35 years with a race at Zandvoort on May 3.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, held at the end of April this year, will move to June 7 while the Spanish Grand Prix, whose presence on the calendar was confirmed on Tuesday, has been given a May 10 date.