Towards the cancellation of tests for young drivers?

Given a tight schedule after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Formula 1 teams had agreed to be able to choose to conduct the young drivers’ tests at that time or in July following the British Grand Prix.

Red Bull, Toro Rosso, and McLaren had already expressed their intention to conduct these tests in Abu Dhabi rather than Silverstone. The other teams prefer Silverstone mainly for cost reasons. However, this Silverstone test session might ultimately not take place.

Indeed, according to *Autosport* and *Auto Motor und Sport*, the Silverstone circuit has informed the teams that it will not be available to host these tests. It seems that in the hosting contract for the British Grand Prix, Bernie Ecclestone has control over the circuit’s schedule for the days before and after the Grand Prix, in case it needs to be postponed.

The head of commercial rights would not have appreciated not being consulted for the organization of these tests, and this could therefore force all teams to conduct these tests in Abu Dhabi. But according to Ross Brawn, the director of the Mercedes AMG team, the teams might simply decide not to race in Abu Dhabi.

There was unanimous agreement for there to be two test sessions for young drivers in two different locations this year. The agreement is broken. So we are not obliged to go to Abu Dhabi, Brawn revealed, as quoted by Auto Motor und Sport.

Monisha Kaltenborn, the head of the Sauber team, agrees with her colleague on a possible cancellation of these tests: «It is quite possible that most of the teams will cancel this session (scheduled) in Abu Dhabi.»

According to Autosport, if some teams do not want to run in Abu Dhabi, another solution could be found, which would be to conduct a testing session at the end of the season on another track, probably a track in Europe.