The FIA refuses to allow Carlos Sainz to participate in the end-of-season tests
The FIA has rejected Ferrari's request: Carlos Sainz will not be able to participate in the end-of-season tests at the Yas Marina circuit.
As at the end of each season, a test day is organized on the Yas Marina track a few days after the last Grand Prix of the year. This year, these tests will take place on Tuesday, December 15.
These tests are usually reserved for young drivers who have participated in fewer than two Formula 1 Grand Prix. However, the FIA can, at its discretion, allow other drivers to participate. This is the case, for example, with Fernando Alonso for Renault, Sebastian Buemi for Red Bull, and Robert Kubica for Alfa Romeo, who will participate in these tests.
These drivers are far from being young drivers as they have already completed several seasons in Formula 1. Scuderia Ferrari did not appreciate that experienced drivers participated in these tests. Mattia Binotto expressed his dissatisfaction to the FIA and wished for his future driver, Carlos Sainz, to also participate in these tests to get accustomed to his new team and its procedures. Indeed, the winter testing in 2021 will be reduced to a total of three days for both drivers. Ferrari, therefore, wants to gain an advantage by giving more track time to its future driver.
The FIA responded to the Maranello team that Carlos Sainz will not be able to participate in these end-of-season tests since he has competed in more than two Grand Prix this season.
