Racing Point to seek FIA clarification of Alonso 'young driver' test participation
Racing Point to seek FIA clarification of Alonso 'young driver' test participation
Racing Point boss Otmar Szafnauer has indicated the team will contact the FIA over the possibility of running Sebastian Vettel in the post-season young driver test.
That follows the governing body's decision to permit Fernando Alonso to drive for rivals Renault that has caused a stir in the Formula 1 paddock.
The 39-year-old Alonso has been given special dispensation to take part as he attempts to re-adjust to Formula 1 following a two-season hiatus and as Renault look to make up for the reduction in pre-season testing days at the start of 2021.
The decision made by the FIA has come under fire from many as it jeopardises the potential opportunities junior drivers are afforded to gain mileage and experience in F1 machinery.
With Vettel moving from Ferrari to soon-to-be Aston Martin, Szafnauer has revealed he will discuss the matter with the FIA in order to "understand the rules".
"I was surprised to see Fernando being allowed to test so we have got to have that discussion with the FIA," he explained.
"I think the rules are pretty clear – it’s a young driver test and a two-time world champion almost in his 40s to me isn’t a young driver. I’ve got to understand what the rules are first and foremost and then see what we do thereafter."
When pushed on whether he would look to run four-time champion Vettel in Abu Dhabi, Szafnauer conceded: "If we can and the rules permit it and… there’s a bunch of ifs and we’d have to consider it."
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner could potentially be fielding Szafnauer's current driver Sergio Perez alongside Max Verstappen next season and would potentially be in a similar situation of wanting to give a new driver extra track time.
Horner labelled the situation as "interesting" before questioning whether all of the fuss is warranted given it is not a full week of testing and even poked fun at Alonso's inclusion by suggesting he would invite another ex-champion to test for the team.
"It’s one day of testing," he pointed out. "Is one day really going to change the world?
"We’re allowed to run two cars there. We had no problem with Fernando driving the Renault as we would really if Carlos wanted to drive a Ferrari or Sebastian a Racing Point.
"But as a young driver test, I’m not sure how Fernando… I’m feeling younger already! The fact that he’s classified as a young driver, maybe we could get Nigel [Mansell] - he never retired, we could get Nigel to come and do the young driver test!"
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Chinese Grand Prix Sprint 2024 results: Hamilton gets best result of year as Ferraris CLASH
- 2 hours ago
Perez hits 'engineer's brother' in Chinese GP incident
- 13 minutes ago
F1 News Today: FIA investigate F1 star as Ferraris clash at Chinese GP
- 1 hour ago
F1 Chinese Grand Prix weather forecast - latest today from Shanghai
- 3 hours ago
Hamilton dealt China blow after major FIA decision as Ricciardo given huge Horner warning - GPFans F1 Recap
- Yesterday 23:57
F1 team unveil star-studded lineup in China
- Yesterday 23:12
Related news
Alonso hints at F1 retirement date after historic contract
F1 team announces 2026 title bid in BLOW to Red Bull
Wolff 'p*****' by Verstappen error as star makes Mercedes debut
Driver suggests Newey tempted by 'enticing' offer from F1 rivals
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