Sauber won’t be taking part in Barcelona private tests
Sauber has decided not to take part in the two days of testing scheduled to follow the Spanish Grand Prix.
The financial situation of Sauber is at the heart of discussions in the paddock since the survival of the Swiss team seems clearly at stake at the moment. It is therefore important to cut all unnecessary expenses that do not add value to performance.
Thus, the Swiss team decided not to participate in the tests in Barcelona, which will follow the Grand Prix on the Catalan circuit. To justify its choice, it put forward two distinct reasons: the first is that it does not plan any new features for its car during the Spanish weekend. The second is that the team no longer has young drivers meeting the FIA criteria. Indeed, its test driver from last season, Raffaele Marciello, has since left the Scuderia Ferrari development program.
Of the four test sessions planned this season, each team must dedicate at least two to young drivers so they can perfect their F1 skills. These young drivers also represent a significant source of revenue, as teams can charge them for these track days. However, an agreement that suits both parties must be found…
But if the reasons given by the team are justifiable, it clearly shows how critical the situation has become for the team. This brings to mind the dark days when Marussia was unable to attend pre-season testing…
1/2 – Quick news: We cancelled the first in-season test in BCN. There are 2 reasons: 1. We will not introduce a car update at the #SpanishGP
— Sauber F1 Team (@SauberF1Team) May 3, 2016
2/2 … 2. We do not have a young/test driver available that fulfills the requirements #F1
— Sauber F1 Team (@SauberF1Team) 3 mai 2016
