Bahrain to hold final pre-season tests

After months of discussions among the teams about whether to run in Bahrain, or try Abu Dhabi or Dubai, it has finally been decided that the Sakhir circuit will be used.

A decision to hold the tests there was finally signed off at a meeting of team managers ahead of the Korean Grand Prix.

The decision finalises the build-up to the 2014 campaign, with the first test taking place at Jerez in Spain on January 28-31.

The two tests in Bahrain will be held from February 19-22 and then from February 27-March 2.

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh said that the Bahrain decision was the correct one, because it was the best venue in the Middle East for testing.

"The idea is that you get into some temperature testing and, if you look at the Middle East, Abu Dhabi is not a good circuit for testing, and Dubai is a bit Mickey Mouse," he said.

"The best circuit for testing out there is Bahrain, so that is why we are going there."