Sainz to push for Ferrari debut in 'young driver' test
Sainz to push for Ferrari debut in 'young driver' test
Carlos Sainz is hoping to take advantage of the FIA's 'exception' rules for the end-of-season young driver test and make his Ferrari debut earlier than planned.
The test, that this year takes place on December 15 at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina circuit, is supposed to be for drivers with no more than two grand prix starts.
Fernando Alonso is to take part after being granted special dispensation by the FIA who have tweaked their own regulations to allow for drivers who did not compete in this season's championship.
For Sainz to be involved, the FIA would again be required to make an "exception" as currently allowed by the rules.
Sainz claims that under the terms of his current McLaren contract, he can begin work with the Scuderia as soon as the season ends.
“Yeah, I’m willing to test for Ferrari,” said Sainz.
“I think it’s no secret, especially now that the hand has been opened a bit by the FIA for drivers that are not rookies or not young drivers to test. I don’t see why the FIA wouldn’t maybe open the hand a bit also to other drivers."
At present, Ferrari will be running two cars in Abu Dhabi, with Academy product Robert Shwartzman and simulator driver Antonio Fuoco at the wheel.
Ferrari has two other Academy stars on its books, but Mick Schumacher will test for Haas ahead of his debut for the team in 2021, while Callum Ilott is with Alfa Romeo
Confident he would not be denying a young driver an opportunity, Sainz added: “Personally, I wouldn’t take any young driver out of the seat.
"I think Callum [Ilott], Mick and Robert Shwartzman, are all still going to test so if I can be in a Ferrari, I’m not going to not allow them to test. They’re going to still be testing,
“I think Ferrari is one of the teams that are promoting young drivers the most right now so I don’t see why I shouldn’t get the chance also to test. “I don’t know what’s going to happen to be honest. I don’t know what’s the FIA’s decision but you can tell that I’m going to try and be there as much as I can.”
Asked whether he would be putting in a request to the FIA to take part in the test, he replied: "I’m not going to say what we are going to do.
"But I’m telling you that I’m very willing to be in that Abu Dhabi test especially because my contract allows me to do so.”
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Mercedes hint at ‘FUNDAMENTAL’ issues after early season woes
- 48 minutes ago
F1 stars set for THRILLING championship-winning car drive
- 1 hour ago
Motorsport chief SLAMS F1 over Red Bull
- 2 hours ago
Former F1 boss makes SHOCKING Verstappen declaration
- 3 hours ago
Former F1 boss says Red Bull 'rethink' underway amid Horner saga
- Today 08:27
F1 News Today: Horner investigation TOLL on Verstappen revealed as question marks arise over Hamilton Ferrari switch
- Today 05:57
F1 Race Calendar
-
GP BAHRAIN
29 Feb - 2 Mar
Max Verstappen
-
GP SAUDI ARABIA
7 - 9 Mar
Max Verstappen
- GP AUSTRALIA 22 - 24 Mar
- GP JAPAN 5 - 7 Apr
- GP CHINA 19 - 21 Apr
- GP USA 3 - 6 May
- GP ITALY 17 - 19 May
Related news
F1 veteran reveals driver that had a better debut than Bearman
Bearman reveals BIG Ferrari gains heading into Australia
Ferrari boss sees key Hamilton action as a 'sign' of belief in future glory
Former F1 star makes HUGE Schumacher and Hamilton claim
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860