Valtteri Bottas felt testing with the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team at Silverstone on Tuesday was very beneficial, with plenty learned about how race weekends are likely to be with closed events.
Driving in a 2018 Mercedes, Bottas took to the track at the home of British motorsport for a day of testing, which allowed the team to work on their procedures ahead of the start of the season next month in Austria.
Many procedures have had to be altered due to the restrictions put in place by the coronavirus pandemic, with mechanics and drivers having to abide to social distancing rules and having to wear face masks.
“Today I think it was a very helpful day for the team,” Bottas is quoted as saying by Motorsport.com after Tuesday’s running. “Obviously everyone being out from racing and the garage environment for a long time, and there are many new regulations, and we need to be cautious with different things for health. It was good to practice that.
“I think we learned a lot during the day, how to do things more efficiently and make sure everyone is going to be safe once we eventually start racing.”
Bottas was able to do some extended running in the W09 chassis on Tuesday before he handed the car over to team-mate Lewis Hamilton for Wednesday’s second and final day, but the Finn is eager to finally get the heavily delayed season underway at the Red Bull Ring next month.
“I loved to be back in a car, and now I can’t wait for Austria, and to be back racing again very soon,” insisted the Finn.
