Bottas Disagrees With Alonso On 'Unfair' Testing Claim

Monday, 26 February 2024 at 01:00

Valtteri Bottas expressed an opposing opinion on the topic about which Fernando Alonso raised concerns ahead of the testing in Bahrain.

The Aston Martin F1 driver Fernando Alonso stated he didn't like the current format of the pre-season testing that we saw last week.

Drivers and their teams in F1 currently are pretty much not allowed to test their cars on track (except for the 200km shakedown) until the pre-season testing starts.

The pre-season testing lasts three days, during which every single team can run only one car on track at a time, and then it's on to the first race of the season.

The double World Champion called this format "very limited." What's more, having only one car on the track means the three days have to be split between the two drivers, and that results in essentially only one and a half days of practice for each driver ahead of the first race weekend.

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The Spanish Matador asserted it is "unfair it is that we only have one day and a half to prepare a world championship." However, not everyone agrees with him.

Asked about the issue at the pre-season testing in Bahrain, Sauber / Stake F1 driver Valtteri Bottas told the media: "Nowadays it is. It is."

The 34-year-old suggested the technologies nowadays are so advanced that drivers can prepare for the season very well even if they are not set directly in their car.

He also pointed out how little every team and driver struggled during the three testing days at Bahrain International Circuit because they obviously came very well-prepared.

"With the simulation tools, with the simulator, it is and I think today was a great example. There were no red flags [for cars stopping on track], all the cars seemed to work. So with the technology available nowadays, it's enough."