Pandemic prevents Haas firing up new F1 car until Bahrain test

New driver Mick Schumacher, son of seven-times world champion Michael, said he had set aside 10 days for self-isolation in order to visit the factory.

Published : Mar 05, 2021 09:33 IST , LONDON

2020 F2 champion Mick Schumacher is Haas' new recruit.
2020 F2 champion Mick Schumacher is Haas' new recruit.
lightbox-info

2020 F2 champion Mick Schumacher is Haas' new recruit.

Haas will have to wait until Formula One starts pre-season testing on March 12 to fire up its new car for the first time due to COVID-19 restrictions, team boss Guenther Steiner said on Thursday.

The U.S.owned-team has its European base in England but requires Ferrari engineers to fly in from Italy to start the engine.

 

"We built the car in the UK but we couldn't fire it up because if we get the Ferrari engineers, which you need to fire the car up, they need to quarantine on both sides," Steiner told reporters as the team presented the new VF-21.

"It's just not possible. So we will fire the car up in Bahrain when it gets there. It's completely built and everything. You do everything you can but you cannot actually fire it up."

Teams have only three days of testing this year to check all systems before the first race in Bahrain on March 28, half the amount of last year.

Steiner, an Italian, said he had not left the United States over the winter as a result of the travel restrictions.

New driver Mick Schumacher, son of seven-times world champion Michael, told reporters he had set aside 10 days for self-isolation in order to visit the factory in Banbury for a day and a half's seat fitting.

Non-essential travel is currently banned to and from England, with arrivals subject to a 10-day quarantine requirement.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment