Abu Dhabi hopes to retain F1's young driver test
Abu Dhabi circuit bosses remain hopeful that Formula 1 teams will agree to continue holding the annual Young Driver Test at their Yas Marina circuit, despite serious consideration being given to switching it to Silverstone
As AUTOSPORT revealed earlier this week, F1 teams are thinking about a post-British Grand Prix test because they are worried about burning out staff if it is held in Abu Dhabi near the end of the season.
With the way the current calendar is scheduled, if the test takes place after the Abu Dhabi GP then team personnel will likely have to work for five consecutive weeks with no break.
No decision had been made yet about what teams will do, but Yas Marina's chief executive Richard Cregan has said that the venue is keeping circuit availability open for F1 in the week after its November race.
"Whether they have the tests here in Abu Dhabi is a decision the teams themselves would need to make," Cregan told The National newspaper. "We have made provisions and blocked out the week after our race, but they have the freedom to change that.
"We would obviously be disappointed if Abu Dhabi didn't host the Young Drivers' Test because it has become a part of our season, but I can understand the teams' concerns.
"It's a long season as it is and there are a lot of back-to-back races this year, so it's tough for them."
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