McLaren F1 pair Sainz and Norris in F3 test at wet Silverstone

McLaren duo Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris are carrying out a track day at Silverstone in Formula 3 machinery to step up their preparations for the upcoming 2020 Formula 1 season.

A number of teams are conducting private tests to familiarise themselves with F1’s strict new hygiene protocols and to get their drivers back up to speed ahead of the resumption of the heavily-delayed 2020 season, which begins in two weeks’ time in Austria.

F1’s regulations to not allow for official in-season testing of current cars, but teams are permitted to use older-spec machinery from 2016-2018 in order to complete unlimited mileage. Teams are also allowed to carry out two promotional days.

Mercedes completed a two-day test using its 2018 title-winning W09 F1 car last week at Silverstone and Renault undertook a similar test at the Red Bull Ring this week, while Racing Point became the first team to run its 2020 challenger in a filming day shake down at Silverstone on Wednesday.

But complications arising from McLaren’s switch from Honda to Renault power units for 2018 means it does not have any Honda engines to use. The Woking outfit has opted against investing in a test with its 2018 MCL33 due to its vastly different design philosophy making it an unrepresentative car to run.

Instead, it has arranged a day of testing for its drivers with British single-seater outfit Carlin at British Grand Prix venue Silverstone.

It is Norris’ second outing in F3 machinery with the team he raced for throughout his junior career, while Sainz is making his first on-track appearance in a single-seater since Barcelona pre-season testing at the end of February.

We’re at @SilverstoneUK today as @Carlossainz55 and @LandoNorris get behind the wheel of these F3 cars.

How good is it to see these guys back on track? pic.twitter.com/YtJ3nkdnh7

— McLaren (@McLarenF1) June 18, 2020