Ferrari forced to change test plan as it awaits FIA update

Ian Parkes
Tuesday 25 January 2022 15:33 - Updated: 15:35

Ferrari has been forced to change its plans for its four-day pre-season programme at Fiorano due to confusion over which car it can run.

Test driver Robert Shwartzman was due to take to the track on Tuesday in what has become a traditional warm-up test for the Scuderia.

Charles Leclerc is due to return to the cockpit on Wednesday, with Carlos Sainz on Thursday before Shwartzman completes the outing on Friday.

Ferrari had planned to run its 2021 car across the four days but has had to switch to its 2018 SF71H as it awaits clarification from the FIA.

A team statement read: "This morning, the test programme which Scuderia Ferrari was due to carry out, starting today at the Fiorano track has been changed.

"While awaiting an update from the FIA as to how rules relating to 'Test Previous Cars', which establish the criteria for which cars can be used in this type of test, are being applied for 2022, the decision has been taken to use a 2018 SF71H car.

"Further details on the test programme will follow later."

It is understood the FIA has yet to formally approve the test procedures relating to the running of older-spec cars in a year when new aerodynamic regulations come into force.