After a three-month break, Formula 1 is all set to resume its season with the Austrian GP, and F1 World champions Mercedes are conducting a two-day test at Silverstone in preparation for the event.
The Formula 1 season will resume behind closed doors and in compliance with strict health guidelines.
Mercedes will adhere to all the protocol and will drive a two-year-old car, permitted by F1’s restrictions.
While following the health restrictions and social distancing, Valtteri Bottas will drive on Tuesday, and Lewis Hamilton on Wednesday in the two days of the testing camp.
Current cars are restricted by F1
According to a report by BBC Sports, testing of current cars is heavily restricted under F1’s rules, with teams allowed to do only 100 km a limited number of days a year.
So two-year-old cars will generally be used for these tests as they permit much greater mileage.
The report expected other teams to organise a similar kind of preparatory camp considering the European season.
Guidelines for the safety
Notably, the F1 season has been postponed after the world came to a grinding halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The season is due to start again with Austria double header in next month.
Team will follow strict safety guidelines which includes travelling in chartered planes and staying in separate hotels during the season.
Team personnel and drivers will be tested before travelling to the event and every two days while there, while teams will be separated into “families” and “sub-families” to limit contact between people, reported BBC Sports.
The guidelines also says that all members of the sub-family will have to isolate themselves if a person belongs to them will display COVID symptomps.
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