F1: Testing in Barcelona will start early in 2016

Updated Oct 1, 2015 at 11:32a ET

Formula One teams have agreed to hold the first test of 2016 in Barcelona on Feb. 22-25, sources have confirmed.

This means that the new cars will run only seven days earlier than had been planned, despite the first race in Melbourne being moved forward by 14 days.

Teams were initially targeting a first test date of March 1-4. Those dates are now scheduled for the second test.

The original date for the second Barcelona test has been canceled.

The gap between the first test and the first race has shrunk to just seven days, so teams will have to run a different schedule than originally expected.

Meanwhile, teams are currently planning to hold the first in-season test after the Spanish Grand Prix.

The second in-season test will potentially be held after the final event in Abu Dhabi, but teams are still awaiting confirmation.

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