Scuderia Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has admitted that the Italian side submitted a request to the FIA asking for permission for Carlos Sainz to run in the upcoming ‘young driver’ test after conceding the situation has become “a bit of mess”.
Ferrari is among the teams angered by the FIA’s decision to allow Fernando Alonso to take part for Renault after it was granted an exception and will run on December 15 at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit in the R.S.20 ahead of his comeback next year.
The rules state that drivers “must be in possession of an International A Licence and unless otherwise approved by the FIA, not have competed in more than two F1 world championship races during their career”. Fernando Alonso will be joined in the test by two other experienced drivers in Sebastien Buemi and Robert Kubica who will drive for Red Bull and Alfa Romeo respectively.
While it is understood that no driver can take part that has competed in this year’s championship, Ferrari has decided to push for Sainz’s inclusion ahead of his move from McLaren to the Scuderia in 2021.
“First, I think it’s quite a bit of a mess. Certainly, we were, as Ferrari conscious of the fact that Fernando is testing in Abu Dhabi. I really think it’s wrong. We made that clear to the FIA at the time through the drivers’ advisory committee. It’s now up to the FIA to decide. But having made their decision we have asked the FIA for permission for Carlos but we’ve had no feedback yet.” – the Ferrari boss concluded at the end of the second race in Bahrain.
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