Sauber cancels post-Spanish GP test participation

The Sauber F1 team has announced that it will forfeit the post-Spanish Grand Prix test, the first of two in-season sessions scheduled this year.

The Swiss outfit has tweeted that it will skip the opening group running for two reasons. First, they will not introduce an upgrade to the Ferrari-powered C35 at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, thus lessening the significance of testing.

Secondly, Sauber claims it cannot meet the requirement whereby teams have to field young drivers who have not started more than two grands prix in at least two of the four days of in-season testing. Last year, it run former reserve driver and Ferrari protégé Raffaele Marciello.

News of the cancellation comes in the wake of Sauber’s very challenging start to the 2016 F1 season, both on the sporting and financial sides. The Hinwill-based outfit is one of only two squads - with Manor - yet to score points, while team principal Monisha Kaltenborn recently admitted that meagre resources were delaying evolutions to the C35.

Sauber also saw former technical director Mark Smith leave the team on the eve of the season.

The first in-season test is scheduled for May 17/18, while the second session will take place after the British Grand Prix on July 12/13.

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