Young driver test changed to help F1 tyre problem

Formula 1 teams will be allowed to use their race drivers at this month’s young driver test in order to combat the issue with Pirelli’s tyres.

Five drivers suffered punctures during the British Grand Prix, raising serious doubts about the safety of the tyres.

In the interests of the sport, following the International Tribunal, Mercedes will not participate.

“Our priority is to ensure safety for all in Formula One and we believe the incidents at Silverstone represent a genuine safety concern for the drivers,” said FIA President Jean Todt.

“We have thus taken the decision to alter the Young Driver Test to allow teams to use drivers they deem fit to carry out tyre development work in a bid to solve the problems we saw at the British Grand Prix. I believe it is fitting to carry out this work at the circuit upon which the issues were manifested.”

“Approval will also be sought for a change to the wording of article 12.6.3 of the 2013 Formula One Technical Regulations to allow for a modification of the specification of the tyres during the Championship season without the unanimous agreement of all competing teams,” continued an FIA statement.

“This will allow the FIA to take all necessary actions to ensure safety.”

“Notwithstanding the revised conditions as set out above, in the interests of the sport the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team has accepted to not participate in this test, as per the recent decision of the International Tribunal.”

“In the meantime, the FIA has asked Pirelli for an assurance that there will be no repetition of the tyre problems at this weekend’s German Grand Prix or at subsequent grand prix.”

The test takes place at Silverstone between July 17 and 19, with the option for the test to be extended by a day.