The FIA offers more freedom to regular drivers for the Silverstone tests
The FIA has informed the teams that they will be free to conduct tests of new parts with their regular drivers during the sessions organized at Silverstone between July 17 and 19.
Yesterday we reported that Jenson Button did not see much point in attending the Silverstone tests just to try a new tire specification. An opinion that might well change following a note sent by the FIA – Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile – to teams indicating that regular drivers can also conduct aerodynamic tests.
« We can confirm that, given that only one tire specification will be available for testing, the teams will not be required to report to us on whether the regular drivers participate in these tests solely for the purpose of trying the tires, » explained a FIA spokesperson to our colleagues at Autosport.
On the other hand, the regular drivers will be allowed to take the track only one day out of the three scheduled. The other two days are reserved for young drivers. Some rumors in the paddock indicate that a fourth day might be added to the schedule to allow these young drivers to still have the three days initially allocated to them. If that were to happen, Mercedes has indicated that it would request to participate during this additional day.
From our special correspondent at the Nürburgring
