This year’s young drivers’ test could be rescheduled and moved to another venue. Currently, the event – giving inexperienced drivers the chance to drive current F1 cars amid the sport’s strict testing limits – is scheduled to take place as per usual in Abu Dhabi late this season. But with India taking place just one week before the Abu Dhabi grand prix, the test scheduled for the week after and then the races in the US and Brazil taking place next, there are fears some in F1 will have to work on five consecutive weekends.
There have been reports the teams are therefore contemplating dropping Yas Marina and rescheduling the test for a new date at Silverstone.
“Whether they have the tests here in Abu Dhabi is a decision the teams themselves would need to make,” Yas Marina circuit boss Richard 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.”
Cregan said he anticipates a decision to be made mid-season.
Source:GMM
