Ferrari looks set to drop its plans to run rookies at the forthcoming young drivers test. Previously, only drivers with little experience were eligible to test at the Silverstone session. But the tyre-exploding British grand prix last weekend changed all that.
The FIA has reacted to the Pirelli crisis by allowing teams to run their race drivers for tyre testing. But only rookies will be allowed to do actual development testing, amid reports the FIA will have inspectors at Silverstone to ensure compliance.
Nonetheless, Ferrari looks set to run only its race drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa at Silverstone. "Obviously," confirmed sporting director Massimo Rivola, "this test will be carried out with the actual race drivers. There would be no sense in trying something new with youngsters at the wheel, who do not have the necessary experience to provide the required feedback."
Lotus' Romain Grosjean is also expecting a busy test later this month. "Apparently, I could have a lot of work to do in the young drivers test," he admitted to France's Sport24. "Nobody wants to see tyres blowing so I know everyone in the sport is working with Pirelli to fix it," added Grosjean.
The FIA has also opened the door to the Silverstone test possibly being extended from three to four days. Mercedes, banned from the test as a result of 'test-gate', has accepted it will not be allowed to run for the originally-scheduled three days.
But director Toto Wolff hinted the German team will push to attend, if the test is extended to a fourth day. "Now we're being punished more, because the other teams can use their proper drivers, but we accept it for the purposes of safety. But if there is a fourth test day, we will fight to have this day," he revealed to Germany's Bild newspaper. (GMM)
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Mercedes wants to test on extra day at Silverstone
- Published on 04 Jul 2013 12:12
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- By: Rob Veenstra
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Test calendar
Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing
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Jan 26
I. Hadjar
- 1:18.159
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Jan 27
M. Verstappen
- 1:19.578
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Jan 28
A. Antonelli
- 1:17.362
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Jan 29
G. Russell
- 1:16.445
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Jan 30
L. Hamilton
- 1:16.348
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
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Feb 11
L. Norris
- 1:34.669
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Feb 12
C. Leclerc
- 1:34.273
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Feb 13
A. Antonelli
- 1:33.669
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
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Feb 18
G. Russell
- 1:33.459
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Feb 19
A. Antonelli
- 1:32.803
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Feb 20
C. Leclerc
- 1:31.992
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
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Spain
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Bahrain
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Bahrain
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
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Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
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Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
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Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
26 - Jun 28
Austria
Red Bull Ring
3 - Jul 5
United Kingdom
Silverstone
17 - Jul 19
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
24 - Jul 26
Hungary
Hungaroring
21 - Aug 23
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Driver profile
- Team Aston Martin
- Points 631
- Podiums 9
- Grand Prix 204
- Country ES
- Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (45)
- Place of b. Oviedo, ES
- Weight 68 kg
- Length 1.71 m
- 188,072 comments on Aston Martin
78 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Fernando Alonso
Team profile
- Team name Lotus F1
- Base Enstone, United Kingdom
- Daniel Ricciardo 3
- Kimi Räikkönen 7
- Romain Grosjean 8
- Kimi Räikkönen 9
- Romain Grosjean 10
- Pastor Maldonado 13
- Pastor Maldonado 13
- Kevin Magnussen 20
- Nico Hülkenberg 27
- Jolyon Palmer 30
- Esteban Ocon 31
- Carlos Sainz jr 55
- 65,124 comments on Lotus F1
- 17 members have this team as their favourite
- Tweets about Lotus F1
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