Neither Lewis Hamilton nor Nico Rosberg will be taking part in the testing days after the British Grand Prix. Hamilton was originally scheduled for one of the testing days in Silverstone, but cannot take part due to the regulations governing in-season testing.
According to the current regulations, each team must run a young driver for two of the four available testing days. This regulation was created in order to increase the presence of new talent in Formula One, hoping that it will increase their chances of getting a contract in the future. This regulation allows drivers to get their foot in the door of a team and show off their driving abilities in a Formula One car.
Mercedes has yet to satisfy the 2016 requirements, meaning that they will be forced to run a young driver on both of the testing days in Silverstone. Nico Rosberg ran on Tuesday’s testing session in Barcelona and Pascal Wehrlein was in the car on Wednesday. Since both of these drivers have a contract in their hand and more experience than the regulations allows, neither of these drivers are considered to be a young driver. This is the same case for Lewis Hamilton.
The Silver Arrows were originally on track to complete the regulation requirements, scheduling Esteban Ocon for the Barcelona test on Wednesday. However, the team made a last-minute decision to borrow Wehrlein from Manor.
Lewis Hamilton has not yet completed a test day solo, having swapped with Nico Rosberg half way through the day in all of the pre-season tests. He also never attended any of the in-season tests in 2015.
The Silverstone in-season test will be held on the July 12 and 13, just days after the British Grand Prix. The British Grand Prix will take place on the weekend of July 10.
Spanish GP Test: Complete Summary
Barcelona Pre-Season Test 2: Complete Summary
Barcelona Pre-Season Test 1: Complete Summary
