Renault agreement rules out McLaren pre-season test run

An agreement with Formula 1 power unit supplier Renault has ruled out the possibility of McLaren staging its own pre-season protocol test run, GPFans has learned.

Mercedes is this week getting its drivers and race team up to speed, not just on a return to the track in the 2018 W09, but primarily on the new procedures that will be in place from the opening grand prix in Austria from July 3-5 regarding Covid-19 safety measures. Ferrari will be conducting a similar run at its Fiorano test track later this month.

As per the sporting regulations for such 'tests', teams have to run a car that is at least two years old.

McLaren, however, is stymied by the fact that when it switched from Honda to Renault engine power from 2018, there was a clause in the deal that stipulates the French manufacturer would not cover running older cars.

Pre-2018, McLaren was powered by Honda, so naturally, the team is unable to use a car from 2017 or earlier.

"Unfortunately, we don't have this possibility of having a car that is two years old and we could operate because of all the power train switches we've had here in recent years," team principal Andreas Seidl told the Sky F1 Show.

Explaining the plans in place for drivers Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz, Seidl added: "As you've seen already, Lando was doing some karting and some F3 testing.

"We will look into doing the same thing with Carlos to have the drivers ready. Of course, we will do some simulator work as well with them."

As for the team, to ensure they are on board with the new protocols, Seidl said: "We started with the race team again last week, so we are preparing the cars at the moment, trying to go through a lot of procedures and processes in the garage under the new circumstances, with all the social distancing, etcetera.

"[I am] Quite happy with the steps we are taking here as a team. Also, with what we know now, with the process that has been outlined from the FIA and Formula 1 in terms of how we execute the race weekend in Austria, we have clarity there as well.

"Now it's important to simply focus on preparation over the next three or four weeks, and hopefully we have a good start in Austria."

Before you go...

Bottas now itching for F1 race return following Mercedes protocol run out

In pictures: Mercedes' long-awaited return to the track

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