McLaren Unable To Test Old Car Before Season Begins

McLaren has been unable to test a two-year-old Formula 1 car to assist its drivers, Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris, prepare for the upcoming 2020 championship season. Considering the delayed 2020 season is set to begin in Austria on July 5, teams and drivers have been scrambling to prepare themselves.

Mercedes is set to complete a two-day test at Silverstone on Tuesday and Wednesday using a 2018 spec Formula 1 as permitted by the sporting regulations. Ferrari is also expected to hold a private test in similar circumstances.

McLaren Formula 1 Chief Andreas Seidl said the British team would not be running an old model considering the recent changes in the power unit supplier.

Seidl indicated they did not have the possibility of having the car because of all the powertrain switches they have had in recent years. He, however, said Norris was doing some karting and Formula 3 testing to prepare for the season.

Norris had completed running in a Euroformula Open Car at Silverstone the previous week with former junior team Carlin, marking the first on-track activity since the end of Formula 1 winter testing in February.

The most recent eligible car for private testing would be the 2018 spec MCL33 driven by Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne.

The pending switch to Mercedes engines by McLaren for the 2021 season could have changed things even if it used a unit that was supplied by Renault.

Despite not being able to complete on-track running with a Formula 1 car, Seidl mentioned that the team was working on new protocols that will be in place in time for the opening race in a few weeks. According to Autosport, Seidl claimed they are preparing the cars and going through the new scenario processes while still considering social distancing.

Thus far, he is happy with the steps that have been taking. Seidl said the team has clarity as well, and it is about focusing on preparation for the coming weeks and hope to get a good start in Austria.