Three F1 teams will hold a Young Drivers’ Test at the Magny-Cours circuit next month, the track has confirmed.
Ferrari, Mercedes and Force India will run at the circuit between September 11th and 13th.
The track is unchanged since it last held the French Grand Prix in 2008, the 18th time F1 visited the circuit.
Circuit chairman Serge Saulnier said: “I am thrilled to be able to confirm that Formula 1 cars will return to Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours next month.
“We have worked tirelessly to upgrade the venue, which has just been homologated to F1 standards for another four years, and I am certain that the teams and drivers will appreciate the work that has been put in.
“What’s more, this is an extremely positive step forward as we seek to return Formula 1 racing to our circuit. With Magny-Cours a candidate to host future French Grands Prix, it will be fantastic to showcase the track and our staff’s know-how to the high-calibre F1 personnel who will be on-site.”
Williams, Marussia and HRT have already held their test at Silverstone. The remaining teams – McLaren, Red Bull, Lotus, Toro Rosso, Sauber and Caterham – are yet to hold their young drivers’ test.
2012 F1 season
- Which was F1’s best down-to-the-wire title fight?
- Hulkenberg’s missed win should have been “high point” for Force India
- Kubica reveals he almost withdrew from fateful 2011 rally – and had 2012 Ferrari F1 deal
- 2012 F1 season Blu-Ray “Victorious Vettel” reviewed
- 2012 F1 season DVD “Victorious Vettel” reviewed
Browse all 2012 F1 season articles
Image © Ferrari spa/Ercole Colombo
James (@jamesf1)
23rd August 2012, 19:35
Interesting story on two accounts. Firstly interesting that they’ve decided to test seperately to other teams. I can see the advantage of having fewer cars on track, less hold ups for the drivers.
Although more interestingly that Magny-Cours is being used. Who approached who? Did the afforementioned teams ask to test there, or did the circuit ask them? I doubt Bernie would have set this one up due to his interested with Paul Ricard circuit. Could be a minor test of the track’s infrastructure and accessability (which has been rated as substandard to poor in the past).
Also, an odd time to be testing. Although the mechanics will have had two weeks off in the summer, they’ve got a lot asked of them once again. This after Monza and before the first of the final fly aways.
verstappen (@verstappen)
23rd August 2012, 22:15
Being away from a lot of (photo)journalists is probably a good idea. Less pressure and more possibilities to test new parts – if they may with these tests.
And for the globetrotters of F1 it’s probably around the corner.
And maybe there’s some link with Bernie, negotiations, Concorde, Paul ricard etc
BasCB (@bascb)
23rd August 2012, 19:38
A bit of a mess is probably an understatement for the lack of agreement on something simple like a young driver test.
George (@george)
23rd August 2012, 22:40
That’s a pretty tricky circuit to get your first test on, any idea who they will be bringing?
Aditya Banerjee (@chicanef1)
24th August 2012, 6:25
I think it is a better testing track than Silverstone.
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
27th August 2012, 13:06
I expect Bianchi and Bird will be there?
Enigma (@enigma)
27th August 2012, 13:38
@andrewtanner I guess so, and it might be Conor Daly for Force India (he’s done a straight-line test for them this year).
Formule 1
6th February 2013, 11:37
The testing was not so great as the expect it