Frédéric Vasseur, Ferrari team principal, spoke about the test carried out by Red Bull with Max Verstappen before the Spanish F1 GP.
F1 – Ferrari, the test carried out by Red Bull with Max Verstappen worries Frédéric Vasseur. The Dutchman, in preparation for the Spanish GP, he toured Imola with the RB18. A session that both the FIA and the team were aware of, which was part of the program.”TPC – Testing of Previous Cars“. An initiative aimed at the development of young drivers but which Milton Keynes, in this case, exploited to prepare Barcelona.
During the Spain weekend, some discontent arose around the track test session carried out by Red Bull, in Imola. Although it was a test perfectly in line with FIA regulations, it is clear that it was exploited by Milton Keynes to better prepare for an important race like the one in Barcelona. The presence of Max Verstappen, in fact, suggests an effective “development” work.
The testing program with cars that are at least two seasons old was introduced with the aim of giving young drivers space and time behind the wheel. As suggested by The Race, however, in this case it seems Red Bull wanted to compare the behavior of the RB20 with that of the RB18. A work aimed at better understanding the passage on the curbs of the current car, with different setups.
The words of Frédéric Vasseur
Self Frédéric Vasseur does not openly condemn Red Bull’s choice, it is clear that the Ferrari team principal wants to at least open up to discussion: “During the season, we will do just under ten tests of this type. It can be differentiated, tests can be carried out with old cars even with official drivers. This, in my opinion, is more about the development of the car, if you do it a week before the GP“.
Read also: F1 | Vasseur changes course: “Ferrari no longer isolationist, Hamilton will bring experience”
“I’m not complaining about them, they are fully within the rules – explains Frederic Vasseur – But it’s about development more than anything else. It’s clear, and what you can do with a young driver requires a different approach. If we were to regulate this, we would have to divide the two aspects: the days dedicated to official riders and those dedicated to young people“.
Ferrari has already stated that it will carry out most of these tests with Oliver Bearmannow close to an agreement with Haas for 2025. Program similar to that carried out by Mercedes with Andrea Kimi Antonelli and from Alpine with Jack Doohan. It is unclear whether other voices from the paddock will be raised in support of the thesis Frederic Vasseurwith the objective remaining that of not further limiting track tests.
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Cover photo: F1inGenerale
