Bottas says Mercedes "learned a lot" in Silverstone F1 test

Valtteri Bottas says Mercedes “learned a lot” about Formula 1’s new COVID-19 health protocols from its first day of on-track running during a private test at Silverstone.

Mercedes is conducting a two-day test at the home of the British Grand Prix this week in order to ramp up its preparations for the upcoming 2020 F1 season, which begins next month in Austria.

Bottas and reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton are splitting days driving a 2018-spec Mercedes W09, with the team’s focus centred on practicing new hygiene procedures that will be in place once racing resumes.

"Today 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, so 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.”

All team members wore personal protective equipment (PPE) including face masks and observed social distancing where possible to familiarise themselves with the extensive health and safety protocols.

Bottas and mechanics wore masks in the garage, while the engineer operating closest to the driver wore a full face shield while helping to strap Bottas into the car.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff also attended the test and was wearing a mask.

The German manufacturer carried out coronavirus tests for every team member and confirmed that all staff that were present had tested negative for COVID-19.

It marked the first time in 102 days that an F1 car had carried out on-track running since the end of pre-season testing in Barcelona at the end of February.

Teams are not allowed to test their current cars but F1’s regulations do permit sessions with cars that are at least two years old.

Ferrari is also set to undertake a private test run prior to the first race at the Red Bull Ring on July 5, while McLaren and Red Bull’s recent engine changes have hampered any plans to test.