Home F1 Video: Schumacher, Ilott complete F1 test, as Sainz wins fans’ appreciation

FDA TEST FIORANO - VENERDì 29/01/21 credit: @Scuderia Ferrari Press Office

Video: Schumacher, Ilott complete F1 test, as Sainz wins fans’ appreciation

29/01/2021

On Friday, Ferrari’s F1 tests with Mick Schumacher and Callum Ilott concluded, wrapping up a work week’s worth of testing for the team at Fiorano.

The testing involved seven drivers, all behind the wheel of the team’s SF71H from the 2018 F1 season. Schumacher and Ilott were the last to partake in the action, the former in preparation for an F1 drive in 2021. The German started his run on Thursday afternoon.

He continued his test run on Friday morning before handing the car to Ferrari F1 test driver Ilott, who finished off in the afternoon. The Brit completed about 50 laps in the car as the likes of Arthur Leclerc, James Wharton and Maya Weug were looking at the sidelines.

At the conclusion of the F1 test, Laurent Mekies declared that getting 2021 drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc was a priority of the five days. “Seven drivers on track over the five days, covering more than 1500 kilometres between them made for a really busy week for the team at Fiorano,” he said.

“The most important aspect of the test was to give the Scuderia official race drivers, Charles [Leclerc] and Carlos [Sainz], the opportunity to get back into the swing of driving again after the winter break. For the FDA guys it was another opportunity to experience driving a Formula 1 car.

“For Carlos and Marcus [Armstrong] the test was also a “first”, as the Spaniard’s was making his debut with his new team and the New Zealander was experiencing a F1 car for the first time. For Giuliano [Alesi], the test represented a farewell gift, as his time with the FDA has come to an end.

“I think the best thing about the week was the atmosphere in the garage at our home track, with all the guys really happy to be back on track, to prepare as well as possible for the upcoming season,” Mekies said.

Also in the test, Sainz made the days of several Ferrari F1 fans when he greeted them after his session, according to accounts which depicted him stepping out of a fire truck to talk to them. When posted to social media, the story got attention and the Spaniard tweeted that he was “Happy to share my first day in red with all of you guys up there!”

No need to thank me Henar! Happy to share my first day in red with all of you guys up there! See you soon! https://t.co/YzXf8luIxN

— Carlos Sainz (@Carlossainz55) January 29, 2021