Formula 1 young driver test in jeopardy due to Silverstone issues
Formula 1's young driver test plans for this season have been thrown into doubt, with it now uncertain if Silverstone's post-British Grand Prix run can go ahead
Sources have revealed to AUTOSPORT that Silverstone has informed the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) that it may not be able to fulfil plans for a number of teams to run young drivers on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday after the Silverstone event.
It is believed that, under the terms of its British GP contract with Formula One Management, the circuit will not be available for all the days that the teams want to run.
FOTA is still working on trying to resolve the matter, and there is still some hope that the Silverstone deal can be rescued.
However, if no agreement can be reached with Silverstone then that could also force the cancellation of the second young driver test that was due to take place after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Teams were divided in opinion about where to test - with Red Bull Racing, Scuderia Toro Rosso and McLaren preferring to run in Abu Dhabi rather than at Silverstone.
To overcome the disagreement about where to run, a unique dual test plan was agreed for teams to choose where they preferred to test, but this may need to be scrapped totally if one of the tests does not happen.
One option, if a number of outfits remain reluctant to test in Abu Dhabi, would be to try and shift the young driver test to after the season - perhaps taking place at Jerez.
Share Or Save This Story
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Jon Noble: An unfair perception or a genuine concern? Lifting the lid on Red Bull’s Tsunoda scepticism
Bottas' mental health column is brutal, but also shows how F1 is changing
What does the future behold for M-Sport and partner Ford in the WRC?
Aprilia opens new development path in MotoGP at Jerez test
Formula E to keep the 'biggest asset' of its races for Gen4
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments