Bottas: Mercedes 'learned a lot' on new F1 procedures

Valtteri Bottas says Mercedes enjoyed a "very helpful" day of running at Silverstone on Tuesday as the Brackley squad put itself in gear ahead of the start of the 2020 season next month.

Mercedes has rolled out at 2018 W09 as authorized by the FIA's regulations for two days of testing at the British track to allow its drivers to get back into the groove but more importantly to break in and validate the safety and hygiene procedures that will govern F1 teams garage and pitlane organization in the coming months.

"I think it was a very helpful day for the team," Bottas said.

"Obviously everyone being out from racing and the garage environment for a long time, and there are many new regulations, and we need to be cautious with different things for health. It was good to practice that.

"I think we learned a lot during the day, how to do things more efficiently and make sure everyone is going to be safe once we eventually start racing.

"I loved to be back in a car, and now I can't wait for Austria, and to be back racing again very soon."

• Mercedes' day of testing at Silverstone in pictures

All Mercedes staff wore masks or personal protective equipment during the test that will continue today with Lewis Hamilton.

Team boss Toto Wolff who was present at Silverstone on Tuesday is expecting a challenging summer ahead but insists the Silver Arrows outfit is ready to return to action.

"At least we know that we’re going back to racing for the next few months," Wolff told Sky Sports.

"It’s a solid European calendar and everybody back in Brackley and Brixworth is happy that we can finally get back on track. We love the competition and we missed that.

"It’s a challenge. We’re all aware why that is, but we owe it to our fans to give them racing, come up with a good show...

"It’ll be heavy for all of us, doing triple-headers, not being able to go home, but it’s these special circumstances."

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