In the round-up: Mercedes and Ferrari will hold separate tests next week as part of their preparations for the resumption of racing.
Social media
Notable posts from Twitter, Instagram and more:
NEWS: We'll be back on track next week @SilverstoneUK!
Valtteri (Tuesday) and Lewis (Wednesday) will drive the 2018 Mercedes W09 in a two-day test as the team practises protocols ahead of returning to racing in Austria next month 👊 pic.twitter.com/yMOTqnajiA
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) June 4, 2020
SLATER SCOOP: NASCAR’s plan to have fans in stands at Homestead-Miami Speedway has been approved by Miami-Dade’s @MayorGimenez.
It will be limited to 500 military personnel for the races on June 13-14, the mayor tells me.
— Andy Slater (@AndySlater) June 4, 2020
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Links
More motor racing links of interest:
Mercedes and Ferrari set for private tests as they ramp up preparations for F1 return (F1)
"Ferrari will also conduct a test in the coming weeks (date and location TBC), giving Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel to warm up ahead of their return to racing in Austria."
Ecclestone on the hunt for buyer for 'historic' Williams team (AFP)
"Williams would be a great loss, 100 percent. I am looking around to find people who could and might be involved."
European calendar would count as world championship, says Brawn (Autosport)
"In theory the eight European races will constitute a world championship."
Drivers could miss part of race weekend if mechanics test positive (BBC)
"This could mean a driver sitting out part of or even a whole practice session, but it is very unlikely a race would have to be missed in these circumstances."
M-Sport to supply new TOCA BTCC engine from 2022 (BTCC)
"Following its successful tender submission and subsequent voting by all BTCC teams, M-Sport will now develop, build and supply the TOCA engine to the UK’s premier motorsport series from 2022-2026."
F1 2020 Deluxe Schumacher Edition Trailer (Codemasters via YouTube)
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Comment of the day
Has the FIA superlicence arrangement made it harder for teams to appoint reserve drivers?
I guess one of the issues teams face is that not many drivers have a current superlicence. Reserve drivers used to mainly be the ‘new’ young up and coming guys/girls but the FIA changed the rules to make it much more difficult to obtain said license and the ‘reserve’ role is an area that has suffered.
Mkindyfan
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DB-C90 (@dbradock)
5th June 2020, 1:36
So Mercedes and Ferrari are running 2 day tests so that they can get their personnel ready for the new protocols that will be in place.
From a safety perspective that’s a good thing, ensuring each team member knows what to do, how to work in PPE etc.
Wouldn’t it be great if the teams with the money and FOM did something great and funded ALL teams for a 2 day practice test for all of the new protocols and procedures so we can ensure that safety protocols can be maintained easily for the whole field.
After all, we’ve entered a new era of cooperation haven’t we?
Euro Brun (@eurobrun)
5th June 2020, 12:53
Are these legitimate “filming days” or have they been given some special dispensation to do additional testing?
Or are they just using older cars, as that would be legal?
But yes, it would be good if all teams could benefit from some sort of shakedown.
t1redmonkey (@t1redmonkey)
5th June 2020, 15:51
says in the article they’re using the 2018 cars
Euro Brun (@eurobrun)
5th June 2020, 19:43
Thanks. Gotta be honest, was being lazy over lunch :)
Stephen Crowsen (@drycrust)
5th June 2020, 20:10
The F1 article says Mercedes will be doing their test at Silverstone, while Ferrari haven’t made up their mind where they’ll be doing their tests (probably a race track in Italy).
While it would be nice if Mercedes and Ferrari opened their tests sessions to allow other UK based or Italian based teams (respectively) to bring along a 2018 car and do their own testing, isn’t this something F1’s administrators should have organised? It certainly isn’t either Mercedes or Ferrari’s responsibility to fund those other teams, and if they don’t offer an invitation to other locally based teams to bring a car so they too can do similar testing then that’s their business. Mercedes and Ferrari are paying for these tests themselves, so they don’t have any obligation to let other teams in. Those other teams can organise and pay for their own test sessions (or offer to help Mercedes or Ferrari pay for their use of the respective race track).
Those running F1 have had months to work what the safest way is for teams to be changing wheels and front wing units. In fact they should already have done this, and they should have organised race tracks suitable to the location of the teams where tests could be done using their suggested protocols. The fact Mercedes and Ferrari want to do these tests leaves one with the impression F1’s administrators haven’t even thought about how races should be conducted in the downtime. If they haven’t then it isn’t the responsibility of either Mercedes or Ferrari to provide solutions to such obviously important problems, it is the fault of those administrators.
Maybe if Mercedes and Ferrari were asked nicely they’d be prepared to share some of their findings with the other teams (and F2 and F3 teams), but they are also quite entitled to say something like “Sorry, but our results aren’t relevant to how other teams operate.”
Chaitanya
5th June 2020, 3:23
About Austrian GP , really curious how Mercs perform there. Last year they had problems with overheating and this year we have 2 rounds over there and hopefully the Mercs have gotten on top of cooling.
Jere (@jerejj)
5th June 2020, 7:37
@Chaitanya Although, it isn’t a given that the temps would be similar this year. Last year’s case was extreme, hence, probably an exception to the rule.
Paul
5th June 2020, 6:27
I thought testing was limited to the specific arranged test days – which we have already had??
Ross
5th June 2020, 7:30
I’m sure there are contractual factors in place that stop Ecclestone investing in Williams, but that would be fun. Or Ron Dennis…Or Roger Penske seems to have been spending up big around the globe of late… please not a faceless investment group.
Matt Jones (@mattj)
5th June 2020, 12:04
Imagine the Captain getting involved – he doesn’t go into anything half hearted. Williams-Penske racing sounds good. A dream but a nice one.
zimkazimka (@zimkazimka)
5th June 2020, 13:45
It’s going to be Mazepin, isn’t it?
Matt (@hollidog)
5th June 2020, 13:51
Could be Latifi
Mog
6th June 2020, 5:57
That would be great.
Then we could have two entitled children racing with a guaranteed seat into their 50s
Jere (@jerejj)
5th June 2020, 7:35
Even though it’d technically and realistically be a European-Championship, but good thing nevertheless for getting at least some leeway so that going to the Americas isn’t a definite must anymore for the season to get classified as a World-Championship season.
There could be (at least some) truth to what the COTD brings up.
Wayne
5th June 2020, 11:50
Wow, ecclestone pleasantly surprised me there. I too would not like to see the bame Williams disappear from f1. Now just to get 1 or 2 of my billionaire friends to help.
mrfill (@mrfill)
5th June 2020, 12:45
Yes, if only the old skinflint would use just a few of the thousands of millions he ‘acquired’ from the sport to benefit a team like Williams.
Remember, when you have 4000 million, a couple of hundred mill is peanuts. However, he would say Why should I? – it’s my money – all mine – I made it all myself – nothing to do with F1. But I’ll help to find you a buyer – shall we say 20% commission?
Euro Brun (@eurobrun)
5th June 2020, 12:51
Is he actually helping, or just using it as an opportunity to get back in the news?
Graham (@guitargraham)
5th June 2020, 14:18
Bernie and Sir Frank are extremely close. Bernie organised everything for the Williams family when Sir Frank had his crash and Bernie also saved Williams when RBS pulled out.
Euro Brun (@eurobrun)
5th June 2020, 12:50
“In theory”, Ross hasn’t read the FIAs own rules on what constitutes a world championship.
Adrian Hancox (@ahxshades)
5th June 2020, 15:37
@eurobrun – it could be “In Theory” until a circuit / team / promoter challenges what constitutes a world championship in court?
Jamie B
5th June 2020, 18:36
Eh, lets be honest, nobody cares. It’s not going to make the slightest bit of difference to anyone if they call it a world championship or not