"Very little logic" behind young driver test denial - Sainz

Carlos Sainz

"Very little logic" behind young driver test denial - Sainz

Sainz had hoped to get running under his belt with new team Ferrari ahead of a reduced pre-season testing programme

Ewan Gale

Thursday 10 December 2020 15:32

Departing McLaren driver Carlos Sainz believes there is "very little logic" to denying him the opportunity to participate in the Abu Dhabi young driver test.

Sainz - who will move to Ferrari in 2021 - had sought to take part in the test in order to prepare for next season given there are only three days of pre-season testing through the winter.

However, the FIA rejected his and Ferrari's request to run at Yas Marina, despite allowing 39-year-old Fernando Alonso to lap for Renault - the two-time champion aiming to reaquainte himself with the sport ahead of his comeback.

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When asked if he had been given the reasoning behind the decision, Sainz said: "No, there hasn't been any logic explained to me.

"First of all, I think there is very little logic behind it and I think not many people really understand what's going on," he added.

"Of course, I am disappointed not being able to test, but I have to accept it and turn the page. I will make sure I am prepared as much as I can for next year.

"For me, the logical thing would have been if it is only one and a half days testing for each driver next year, then it would be to give some help to all of the drivers who wanted to take part in the Abu Dhabi test, especially knowing it is two cars per team."

Sainz believes the extra time used to integrate into the Scuderia would be crucial to ensure various safety protocols are prepared and passed ahead of pre-season testing, meaning he would be able to hit the ground running ahead of his first season at Maranello.

"Open one of the cars to fit a driver in knowing that next year has the same chassis," he suggested. "Make sure everything is working well, the safety aspects from the jump out tests to the fitting of the car itself.

"It is obviously important and those are the things that thanks to the Abu Dhabi test we could have been able to sort out and get a bit of a head start on. Unfortunately, it isn't happening. I am disappointed but it is nothing I can change."