Renault and Racing Point complete their on-track preparation

The Renault and the Racing Point teams have become the latest teams to hit the track in a bid to prepare themselves for the start of the heavily-revised 2020 F1 season.

Since Formula 1 has revealed the first eight races of the delayed and curtailed F1 2020 season, teams have started to return to the race tracks. With the sport set to introduce a strict protocol aimed at containing the spread of the coronavirus, teams are keen on practicing the rules they will need to adhere to at the opening grands prix.

As per regulations, teams can run their actual cars on two promotional event days. On those days, teams are limited to 100km and must use Pirelli’s special tyres that are designed for demonstration runs.

Mercedes became the first team last week to hit the track when the Anglo-German outfit conducted a two-day test programme with Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas at Silverstone. The Brackley-based team used its double-title winning car, the W08 for its preparation runs.

On Tuesday, Renault commenced a two-day test session with Daniel Ricciardo. The French manufacturer held the private test at the Red Bull Ring where the season-opening grand prix will take place. The Australian notched up 115 laps in total on the circuit located in Styria.

Esteban Ocon took over the wheel of the 2018 F1 Renault car, clocking up 143 laps. The Frenchman who is set to make his comeback this year wrote on his Instragant account: „I’ve missed this so much, 145 laps done ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix feeling fresh, feeling ready, and more.”

Racing Point has become the first team to return to action with a 2020 car. The team conducted its one-day private test at Silverstone, albeit not on the grand prix, but the national circuit layout.

The Silverstone-based team was able to run through new protocols that will be put in place when the 2020 F1 season finally gets underway at Spielberg on July 5. Using one of its filming days, Racing Point was also able to test the limits of its new race machine that was last used on the last day of the pre-season testing at Barcelona.

Ferrari is also expected to complete a test session, albeit the team has not defined the date yet. AlphaTauri also plan to run their 2020 F1 car on a filming day at Imola on June 24.