F1 test cuts will make it harder to switch Ferrari

Sainz will join Ferrari next year to replace Aston Martin-bound Sebastian Vettel alongside Charles Leclerc.

Drivers who change teams this off-season will have less time to test their new machines, as the only pre-season test in Formula 1 will be shortened to just three days.

The pre-season tests have already been shortened from eight to six days in 2020, but will be halved in 2021, as the current cars will largely be carried over into the next season due to the relatively stable regulations.

Also read:

A final decision on the location of the test has not yet been made, although Motorsport.com believes it will likely move from Barcelona to Bahrain. While the 10 F1 teams, all of whom agreed to the test cut, should be well equipped for the limited number of tests, Sainz fears that drivers who switch teams this winter will be driven by the lack of track time with their new cars and crew be hindered.

Sainz and Vettel aren’t the only drivers to change teams this winter. Daniel Ricciardo replaces the Spaniard at McLaren and Fernando Alonso is stepping down from retirement to fill Ricciardo’s seat at Renault.

“As you can understand, it is practically impossible to prepare for a day and a half for a season without knowing the car beforehand in order to be prepared for the first race,” said Sainz before the Turkish Grand Prix last weekend.

“That will make my first half of the season at Ferrari very difficult, as it is for Fernando, Ricciardo and other drivers who are changing teams.

“I don’t understand why it’s only three days, one and a half days per driver, and I’m not for it, especially since there are no tests during the season.”

Also read:

The only other opportunity for Sainz to test his new car would be the Young Driver Test in December after the season finale in Abu Dhabi, but as the name suggests, current F1 drivers are not eligible for these sessions.

Even so, Sainz says he’d love to try the Ferrari SF1000 if the opportunity presents itself.

“It’s no secret that I would be interested in taking this test and driving the Ferrari,” added Sainz. “It depends on the personal interests of other teams that need to be discussed and the FIA ​​should give the OK. But it’s no secret that I would be interested in this test.”

Renault has tried to get the returning Alonso to take part in the two-day Abu Dhabi test as the 39-year-old has not been in Formula 1 for two years.

The so far unsuccessful bid by the Enstone team met fierce opposition from its F1 rivals, so it seems very unlikely that any other driver would get this chance.