Ferrari: It's "common sense" to allow Sainz in Abu Dhabi test
Ferrari Formula 1 team sporting director Laurent Mekies says it would be “common sense” for the FIA to open up the Abu Dhabi young driver test to anyone.
The Maranello outfit is keen to put its incoming 2021 driver Carlos Sainz into the car that is currently scheduled to be run by simulator driver Antonio Fuoco.
The one-day test was originally supposed to be for drivers who had made no more than two grand prix starts, but after lobbying from Renault the FIA has allowed drivers who didn’t race in 2020 to participate, with Fernando Alonso running for the Enstone team, Sebastien Buemi for Red Bull, and Robert Kubica for Alfa Romeo.
Ferrari was originally opposed to that decision, but having accepted it the team has changed tack and is pushing for the test to be opened up completely, allowing Sainz – who is free from McLaren contractually – to be able to run.
Ferrari points out that three of its proteges will be testing anyway, with Robert Shwartzman in one of two works cars, Mick Schumacher at Haas, and Callum Ilott at Alfa.
“It's a tricky one,” Mekies admitted. “I think at first we do respect the fact that it was a day meant for the young drivers.
“We are investing a huge amount of energy and time and more on our young drivers.
"We will have three or four young drivers running at the young driver test, Robert with Ferrari, Mick with Haas, and Callum with Alfa, and we think it should be the priority for the test, and that's where we have put our priority.
“Now, if for a combination of factors, which is not for me to comment, it's been decided to grant exceptions to a few drivers, including Fernando, then it would probably make sense to open up a bit more the regulations, so that people who want to run their next year drivers can as well do it.
“I think it would be a common sense approach. I think it should be a young driver test only, but if for whatever reasons we are now in a position where it's not going to be that, because of two, three or four exceptions, then I think we should probably have a practical and common sense approach.
“And in that case, of course we would be very happy to be in a position to run Carlos.”
Share Or Save This Story
RB: Tsunoda “mentally on a different level” in 2024
Andretti planning F2 and F3 entries to promote US talent to F1 team
Andretti F1 team formally opens new Silverstone facility
What the drivers are expecting from F1's return to Sepang
How Carlos Sainz bounced back from the most difficult moment of his F1 career
Sainz interview: “I always believed in McLaren… but then Ferrari called”
Charles Leclerc and Pecco Bagnaia: From kings to princes
Sainz blasts "most unfair penalty ever", seeks stewards' explanation
Calado: "Difficult" for WEC Hypercar newcomers "to win straight off"
F1 Bahrain GP long runs: Max Verstappen the favourite in Malaysia?
WRC Sardinia: Adrien Fourmaux heads Hyundai 1-2 after puncture-filled morning
George Russell: "Off the pace" Mercedes F1 car needs tweaking at Sepang
Why Takaaki Nakagami's injury is a bigger problem for Honda than it seems
The hidden F1 performance differentiator nobody is talking about in 2026
As Mercedes looks to deal F1 2026 knockout blow, will its driver fight reignite?
Top 10 F1 results changed by backmarkers – the passes
The problem with Ferrari’s endless team principal speculation
Subscribe and access Motorsport.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