AlphaTauri to conduct F1 test at Imola

AlphaTauri will carry out a Formula 1 test at Imola later this month ahead of the start of the delayed 2020 season.

A number of F1 teams including Mercedes and Ferrari have elected to undertake test runs to practice new hygiene protocols and enable their drivers to step up their preparations ahead of the resumption of racing on July 5 at the Red Bull Ring in Austria.

AlphaTauri has elected to use one of its two permitted filming days to get some mileage on its 2020 F1 car at former San Marino Grand Prix venue Imola on June 24.

Each F1 team is allowed two filming days per year but F1’s regulations are heavily restricted for current-year car use, meaning running is limited to just 100km.

Several teams have subsequently opted to conduct test runs with two-year-old cars, giving them freedom to get in as much mileage as desired.

The Red Bull sister team traditionally carries out its filming days at Misano but the track is unavailable on the date due to MotoGP squads Ducati, Aprilla and KTM visiting for tests.

After using up one of its filming days to shake down its 2020 challenger at Misano back in February, AlphaTauri will now conduct its second and final promotional day at Imola, which lies just 15km from its headquarters in Faenza.

Imola, which last held an F1 race in 2006, has had its FIA Grade 1 licence renewed to allow for F1 machinery to run at the circuit.

The Italian venue has emerged as a candidate for a European race later in the 2020 campaign as F1 chiefs continue their bid to finalise the rest of the season schedule.