The FIA has moved to prevent Formula 1 teams from testing at the four circuits that have been added to the 2020 World Championship schedule.
An e-vote of teams has agreed that no one should be allowed to visit the new tracks on the grounds of costs and because they would gain an unfair advantage over those who are unable to test. It’s understood that F1 boss Ross Brawn was particularly keen to impose a clampdown.
Mugello and Portimao are both brand new Grand Prix venues, while Imola and the Nurburgring were last used for F1 races in 2006 and 2013 respectively.
While most teams have used up their two promotional or filming days with their current chassis they are allowed to test cars from 2018 or earlier without restrictions, as long as the FIA is kept informed. However some teams do not have access to a suitable running car/engine combination.
Before the late start to the season several teams took advantage of the option to conduct what is officially known in the rules as TPC [testing of previous cars], with Renault running for two days at the Red Bull Ring ahead of the first two races of the season, and Mercedes at Silverstone’s national circuit.
Of the four new tracks, Ferrari went to its own Mugello venue with a 2018 car, while AlphaTauri was able to combine a 2020 filming day with more extensive 2018 running at Imola. Both sessions took place before the respective circuits were officially confirmed on the calendar.
Other teams have subsequently expressed an interest in sampling the new venues, notably Portimao, which was last used for testing in the winter of 2008-’9, and which is being resurfaced in September.
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