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.
FEATURE: Hamilton, or when a picture is not worth so many words
DRIVER RATINGS: Russian Grand Prix
Breakfast with ... Martin Brundle
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has made it clear: Formula 1 must rediscover the…
Sergio Perez isn’t taking lightly the suggestion that his return to Formula 1 with Cadillac…
While Aston Martin’s F1 car is currently giving Fernando Alonso some massive engine vibrations and…
For a driver who has spent years bending F1 to his will, Max Verstappen suddenly…
For Carlos Sainz, what was meant to be a strong second season at Williams is…
Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has delivered another withering verdict on Formula 1’s 2026 regulations…