Racing Point in action as first 2020 F1 car returns to track

Racing Point has become the first Formula 1 team to return to the track with its 2020 car after taking part in a filming day at Silverstone.

It marks the first time in 110 days that a team has run its 2020 car on-track following pre-season testing in Barcelona, after the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mercedes and Renault have already conducted private tests at Silverstone and the Red Bull Ring respectively ahead of the season restarting next month, but both teams opted to use 2018-spec machinery so they could complete unlimited mileage.

Racing Point is using up one of its two permitted promotional days at the British Grand Prix venue to prepare for the heavily-delayed 2020 season, which kicks off in Austria on July 5.

Under F1’s regulations, teams are limited to 100km of on-track running during filming days and must use specific tyres allocated by Pirelli.

Lance Stroll is carrying out driving duties for the Silverstone-based outfit on Wednesday, marking his return to the cockpit of the RP20 for the first time since winter testing at the end of February.

VOLUME pic.twitter.com/5vm59RDmso

— BWT Racing Point F1 Team (@RacingPointF1) June 17, 2020

Teams are using the private test sessions to step up their preparations for the upcoming campaign and as an opportunity to familiarise themselves with F1’s strict new safety protocols that will be enforced once racing returns.

"Safety is the top priority today," Racing Point said in a tweet on Wednesday. "We're operating in line with the ‘new normal’ to keep everybody safe trackside." 

Back-to-back races at the Red Bull Ring will kick off an unprecented run of eight-European rounds in the space of 10 weeks.