Mercedes will field only Rosberg in Bahrain
While it was thought that Lewis Hamilton would drive on the Sakhir track, Mercedes AMG F1 will ultimately only field Nico Rosberg for the three days of testing with Pirelli.
The German team, which had made headlines last year for illegal tire testing with the Italian manufacturer after the Spanish Grand Prix, will therefore only field the son of former world champion Keke Rosberg.
« Lewis Hamilton will not be driving as he has started his winter training program at high altitude, » announces the star brand. Nico Rosberg will have the opportunity to take to the track during the three days organized at Pirelli’s initiative to gather as much data as possible before starting production of the tires that will equip the new 2014 V6 1.6L Turbo single-seaters.
The Italians had warned the FIA and the teams that without these testing sessions, the tires might be very conservative, meaning they might not necessarily meet the FIA’s expectations for significant tire wear to encourage pit stops and thus allow for strategic play.
Pirelli also announced that 2014 “prototype” tires will also be brought to Bahrain.
The Bahrain tire testing program
| Team | Tuesday, December 17 | Wednesday, December 18 | Thursday, December 19 | |
| 1 | Red Bull | Buemi | Buemi | Buemi |
| 2 | Mercedes | Rosberg | Rosberg | Rosberg |
| 3 | Ferrari | De la Rosa | De la Rosa | Bianchi |
| 4 | Toro Rosso | Vergne | Vergne / Kvyat | Kvyat |
Let us recall that McLaren and Force India were initially supposed to participate in these sessions, but declined the invitation. The Indian team justified its absence by the cost incurred by such a trip, while the Woking team provided no explanation. Lotus, Williams, Caterham, and Marussia, being in more or less significant financial trouble, will not be participating.
