Ferrari: It's "common sense" to allow Sainz in Abu Dhabi test
Ferrari Formula 1 team sporting director Laurent Mekies says it would be “common sense” for the FIA to open up the Abu Dhabi young driver test to anyone.
The Maranello outfit is keen to put its incoming 2021 driver Carlos Sainz into the car that is currently scheduled to be run by simulator driver Antonio Fuoco.
The one-day test was originally supposed to be for drivers who had made no more than two grand prix starts, but after lobbying from Renault the FIA has allowed drivers who didn’t race in 2020 to participate, with Fernando Alonso running for the Enstone team, Sebastien Buemi for Red Bull, and Robert Kubica for Alfa Romeo.
Ferrari was originally opposed to that decision, but having accepted it the team has changed tack and is pushing for the test to be opened up completely, allowing Sainz – who is free from McLaren contractually – to be able to run.
Ferrari points out that three of its proteges will be testing anyway, with Robert Shwartzman in one of two works cars, Mick Schumacher at Haas, and Callum Ilott at Alfa.
“It's a tricky one,” Mekies admitted. “I think at first we do respect the fact that it was a day meant for the young drivers.
“We are investing a huge amount of energy and time and more on our young drivers.
"We will have three or four young drivers running at the young driver test, Robert with Ferrari, Mick with Haas, and Callum with Alfa, and we think it should be the priority for the test, and that's where we have put our priority.
“Now, if for a combination of factors, which is not for me to comment, it's been decided to grant exceptions to a few drivers, including Fernando, then it would probably make sense to open up a bit more the regulations, so that people who want to run their next year drivers can as well do it.
“I think it would be a common sense approach. I think it should be a young driver test only, but if for whatever reasons we are now in a position where it's not going to be that, because of two, three or four exceptions, then I think we should probably have a practical and common sense approach.
“And in that case, of course we would be very happy to be in a position to run Carlos.”
Related video
Sakhir GP: Verstappen heads Bottas in FP3
Sakhir Grand Prix qualifying as it happened
Why 2022 could be Leclerc's best chance to end his Monaco F1 curse
Charles Leclerc's ill-fortune at his home Formula 1 race is well-established. But his single lap pace and over longer runs during Friday practice will leave the Ferrari driver upbeat that he can make up for his Barcelona disappointment by finally recording a finish and perhaps even banking 25 world championship points in Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix...
The inevitable consequence of the Liberty F1 popularity boom
Sell out crowds at Formula 1 races are the norm rather than the exception these days, as grand prix racing is enjoying a massive boom under Liberty Media. But the Spanish Grand Prix highlighted numerous issues some circuits may face as demand for F1 soars
The danger for Red Bull in its Barcelona F1 team orders choice
OPINION: Red Bull walked into a team orders saga on its way to taking a Spanish Grand Prix 1-2 last weekend, where it took the lead of the 2022 Formula 1 world championships for the first time. But its decisions have added an element of risk to later races.
Why Mercedes' Spanish GP gains aren't as grand as they seemed
Mercedes' strong showing in last weekend's Spanish Grand Prix prompted team boss Toto Wolff to say it had halved its deficit to the leaders and its Formula 1 title chances were back on after a rocky start to the 2022 campaign. But a closer inspection of the team's performance suggests its gains aren't as grand as they first appeared
What's next for the Green Red Bull controversy?
From the 'pink Mercedes' to the 'Green Red Bull', the Silverstone-based team has received suspicious glares from up and down the Formula 1 paddock over its car design exploits. But after being cleared by the FIA over its Spanish Grand Prix updates amid a backdrop of cries of foul play, what's next in this saga?
Spanish Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2022
In an unusually hectic Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc was denied a dominant performance by his Ferrari engine letting go which allowed Max Verstappen to pick up the pieces. But numerous flashpoints kept the race twisting and turning throughout, with one perfect score from an emerging contender
How Verstappen overcame his and Red Bull’s errors to win in Spain
Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari engine disaster offered an open goal for Max Verstappen and Red Bull to strike, but the reigning Formula 1 world champion still had to solve multiple errors and profit from a begrudged assist from team-mate Sergio Perez, which created an unexpectedly eventful Spanish Grand Prix
Why Red Bull can win a Spanish GP that looked perfect for Ferrari
Formula 1's return to Spain on Friday ended with Ferrari leading the way from Mercedes, while Red Bull could only manage third fastest overall courtesy of Max Verstappen. But its chances of victory are far from remote with a deeper dig into the times despite Ferrari's strong start...