Formula 1’s planned end-of-season test has been revised, due to the coronavirus pandemic, while Pirelli’s private running has been scrapped.
Formula 1 has typically stayed on in Abu Dhabi for two days of post-season running.
The main intention of the test is to provide teams and drivers with the opportunity to sample Pirelli’s tyres for the following season.
For 2020 this was due to be extended to three days – with one day dedicated to young driver running – in order for teams to gather as much understanding of the 18-inch rims.
But with 2020 regulations and chassis maintained for the 2021 campaign Pirelli will be sticking with the 13-inch rims until the end of next year.
It means that the current proposal is for just one day of running to take place on the Tuesday after the final grand prix, though each team will be permitted to run two cars, as opposed to a single vehicle.
This test day will be optional for teams, who must run young drivers if they want to participate.
Pirelli had intended to use its entire 25-day allocation of private running in order to ready its 18-inch tyres for 2021, but this will no longer take place.
It began testing last September though only managed two days with Ferrari and Charles Leclerc at Jerez in early February before the coronavirus situation deteriorated.
Another test in association with Ferrari was planned for Fiorano in early March but this did not take place.
