F1 News
Schumacher and Mazepin alternate tests at Bahrain
- GPblog.com
The Haas Formula One team is on its way to Bahrain to start testing for next season. The VF-21 will be in action there, just after the presentation of the car next Friday. Schumacher will kick off the tests at the circuit, after which there will be an alternation between the two drivers. It brings many advantages according to team boss Guenther Steiner.
Haas will test the VF-21 for three days from Friday. The new car will first be presented in the pitlane after which it will immediately come into action. Schumacher and Mazepin will alternate during the test sessions to get a good grip on the car. According to Guenther Steiner this has several advantages as he explained in an official statement from Haas.
"Of course we have two rookies, Mick drove the car in Abu Dhabi last year, Nikita has never tried it. The expectation is to do as many laps as possible and collect as much data as possible from the new parts we will have in the car. the new regulations for reducing downforce. That's all we can do, we have limited time and we will have to try and get the most out of it."
It's not just the alternation that benefits
Alternating between the two relatively inexperienced drivers is not the only advantage Steiner sees. Testing in Bahrain itself also has a big advantage. On Friday morning the Ferrari engine will roar for the first time, but a few weeks later it will also be used on the same circuit. Steiner sees a necessary cost-saving in it.
"From Bahrain to Bahrain, testing and the first race of the year are a "cost saving" solution that is possible from the postponement of the first GP in Australia, to which Steiner adds: "Going to Bahrain this year was an obvious choice after the postponement. Every year we have discussed the possibility of testing in Bahrain rather than elsewhere in Europe, but it was not possible for cost reasons. This time, it is a better financial scenario."