McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl has warned Carlos Sainz that he ‘does not see any way’ the Spaniard will be making his Ferrari debut at the upcoming ‘young driver’ test in Abu Dhabi.
The FIA’s decision to allow Fernando Alonso an exemption to compete in a test that is supposed to only be for drivers who have started no more than two grands prix has caused a stir in Formula 1.
It prompted Sainz to declare himself “very willing to be in that Abu Dhabi test especially because my [McLaren] contract allows me to do so.”
Seidl refused to be drawn on the details of Sainz’s deal but believes the regulations that state no current drivers can be involved in the December 15 test at the Yas Marina circuit automatically preclude him from doing so, despite the FIA allowing for “exceptions”.
“First of all we never speak in public about the details of our contracts with our drivers,” insisted Seidl. “But the regulations are clear so I don’t see any way that Carlos is driving the car.
