2013 Silverstone Young Driver Test 17-19 July

[Wasted Talent]

The date has now been confirmed and all 11 teams are expected to attend.

Silverstone have said that no descision has yet been made as to whether this will be an open test and open to the public.

I would encourage anyone who might want to attend (you will see more car/laps than at the Grand Prix) to contact the circuit so that they can see there is interest and money to be made and so make it open.

WT

[dj_bytedisaster]

I hope Williams give Suzie a crack at taking that car for a spin. The Lady has made quite a bit of noise lately and while I think she can deliver, it's time to put the theory to the test.

[tjoepie]

How does 30 qualify you to be a young driver???

[dj_bytedisaster]

How does 30 qualify you to be a young driver???

"Young driver" is only a term. Qualified for the test is anyone, who hasn't run more than two GP.

[mason riley]

Where is this going to be? I am interested!

[steveaki13]

I think I read somewhere its going to be at Silverstone. I will check.

Yep Silverstone

[wedge]

What's this Silverstone I keep hearing about?

Not another 'build it and they will come' Tilkedrome?

[steveaki13]

Yer its got no soul or history. Probably tarmac everywhere.

Anyway I cant get any time off so any hope of going if its open to the public.

Any news on that

i think it is qualified as young dont you?

[Wasted Talent]

Good news is that Silverstone are allowing the public in, £15 a day or £35 for all three days. Just need good weather now!

WT

[The Black Knight]

I don't agree with allowing the drivers to test tires at this event. I don't see why the YD's feedback, coupled with the two tests Pirelli are going to be allowed won't be enough. Anyway, it is the way it is, I just don't agree with it.

[Mia 01]

Mercedes and their driver wont take part, but that´s the name of the game. Be wise now.

[henners88]

Mercedes and their driver wont take part, but that´s the name of the game. Be wise now.
Its fine Mia. Mercedes have already got 3 full days of testing in fine conditions behind them. It'll most likely be raining for much of the YDT at Silverstone ;)

[wedge]

£15 admission. As along as the weather is good I might pop along.


I don't agree with allowing the drivers to test tires at this event. I don't see why the YD's feedback, coupled with the two tests Pirelli are going to be allowed won't be enough. Anyway, it is the way it is, I just don't agree with it.

The full time drivers have invaluable experience and feedback much, much more enviable than the young drivers who are stuck with simulators.

[AndyL]

A 50% price increase on when there used to be regular testing at Silverstone, but to be honest I was expecting it to be more than £15 so that's a pleasant surprise. 7 or 8 years ago it was free but still good value at £15 I think, you get to see plenty of the cars.

[AndyL]

I don't agree with allowing the drivers to test tires at this event. I don't see why the YD's feedback, coupled with the two tests Pirelli are going to be allowed won't be enough. Anyway, it is the way it is, I just don't agree with it.

I agree, I don't see why test drivers can't collect tyre data. As far as Pirelli are concerned it's going to be about collecting data, not the drivers' subjective feedback. They're trying to make their tyres safe and reliable, not adjust them to the drivers' liking.

I suspect the real reason for allowing race drivers is that Jean Todt wasn't satisfied with the punishment his tribunal gave to Mercedes, and allowing the other teams to test with race drivers - as Mercedes did - will even things up a bit more.

[wedge]

I agree, I don't see why test drivers can't collect tyre data. As far as Pirelli are concerned it's going to be about collecting data, not the drivers' subjective feedback. They're trying to make their tyres safe and reliable, not adjust them to the drivers' liking.

I suspect the real reason for allowing race drivers is that Jean Todt wasn't satisfied with the punishment his tribunal gave to Mercedes, and allowing the other teams to test with race drivers - as Mercedes did - will even things up a bit more.

No, because Pirelli didn't get any data at Montreal/FP1 due to rain and ideally Pirelli want a current car, not a contemporary as the goal posts is ever changing due to development cycle.


I mean no disrespect in this next comment but a race driver has a perspective that the support drivers cannot offer, they don't usually drive the car in a competitive manner and so are less accomplished to give opinions on upgrades. Of course the driver can be given the previous specification car as a reference to work from but it's never quite the same.

SomersF1 - The technical side of Formula One (http://somersf1.blogspot.co.uk/)

[AndyL]

No, because Pirelli didn't get any data at Montreal/FP1 due to rain and ideally Pirelli want a current car, not a contemporary as the goal posts is ever changing due to development cycle.

Wedge, the point being made was not about current vs old cars, the young drivers' test will be with current cars. The question raised by BK was whether it is necessary for race drivers to run at the young drivers' test in order to test the tyres.

Race drivers opinions on upgrades are not really relevant, Pirelli are not trying to improve the performance or feel of the tyres. This is supposed to be about safety. They could collect all the data they need on temperatures, wear, stresses etc. with test drivers in the cars.

[wedge]

Lewis claimed the tyres he tested in Barcelona were safer. He and his peers have the experience of messing with the rear tyres in the real world. Leaving it to the young drivers would be a waste of time and resources.

[steveaki13]

Damn. I have too work those days otherwise I would have been there like a shot.

[306 Cosworth]

I'm planning on heading up for a look on one of the days.
Just wondering, is it possible to view at different points around the circuit, and would paddock access be available before the start of test day?

Sorry for the noob type questions, but it'll be my first experience of a F1 type event.

[steveaki13]

I'm planning on heading up for a look on one of the days.
Just wondering, is it possible to view at different points around the circuit, and would paddock access be available before the start of test day?

Sorry for the noob type questions, but it'll be my first experience of a F1 type event.

I have never been to a low key test day. But I assume most general banked areas around the circuit will be open.

As for paddock. No idea.

Also dont worry about asking questions. I would love to have gone, but I have to work, It would offer alot more to see than Friday of the GP when it was so wet. (Assuming its not wet for the test)

Anyway Hope you enjoy the sights and sounds of F1.

[wedge]

I'm planning on heading up for a look on one of the days.
Just wondering, is it possible to view at different points around the circuit, and would paddock access be available before the start of test day?

Sorry for the noob type questions, but it'll be my first experience of a F1 type event.

Last time you could view from Abbey Chicane - Luffield - Woodcote - Copse - Maggots.

For paddock access it'll be for VIPs, corporate hospitality. There used to be hospitality packages available to the public. If you're a member of Club Silverstone you could access the paddock/garage during the lunch break.

[RedBullian1]

Is Conor Daly part of this test?

[Wasted Talent]

Is Conor Daly part of this test?

Names not announced yet

Watch this space

WT

[wedge]

I went yesterday, £20 on the gate. There's a pit walkabout at the end of the day for an extra tenner.

Really worth going just to mourn the loss of naturally aspirated engined F1 cars.

[beachgirl]

I hope Williams give Suzie a crack at taking that car for a spin. The Lady has made quite a bit of noise lately and while I think she can deliver, it's time to put the theory to the test.

Of course she got "a crack". Do you think Toto would say no?

[dj_bytedisaster]

Of course she got "a crack". Do you think Toto would say no?

Toto might have had a hand in her signing, but since he became a Merc employee, he hasn't got much influence at Williams any longer. What's more important is that she did a good job, racking up more mileage than needed for a superlicense. I hope she gets it and we'll see her in free practice in the second half of the year :)

[steveaki13]

I think she has done OK, maybe Williams should give her a few Friday sessions.

[invoro]

This day, as if on purpose