Red Bull get back on track with 2020 car at Silverstone ahead of season opener

Jun 25, 2020 11:01am UTC

NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JUNE 25: Alexander Albon of Thailand driving the (23) Aston Martin Red Bull

Red Bull are fine-tuning their preparations for Formula 1’s restart in Austria with a private test using their 2020-spec car at Silverstone.

Several teams, including Mercedes and Ferrari, have already carried out tests to give their drivers some track time and run through new protocols in place following the coronarvirus pandemic, but Red Bull are only the third team after Racing Point and AlphaTauri to run their current car.

Unrestricted testing with current machinery is not allowed per the regulations, however teams can run their new cars for two promotional filming days each year.

NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JUNE 25: Alexander Albon of Thailand and Red Bull Racing poses for a photo — Alex Albon gears up for his test at Silverstone

NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JUNE 25: Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner looks on in the — Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner looks on in the pitlane during the filming day

NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JUNE 25: Red Bull Racing team members look on in the Pitlane during the Red — Red Bull mechanics and team personnel walk down the pitlane donning PPE

NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JUNE 25: Alexander Albon of Thailand and Red Bull Racing talks with Toyoharu — Alexander Albon talks with Toyoharu Tanabe of Honda during the filming day

NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JUNE 25: Chris Gent of Red Bull Racing works in the garage during the Red — Red Bull mechanic Chris Gent ready and waiting

Red Bull have opted to do that, with Alexander Albon in charge of driving duties at the Northamptonshire track today. He’ll be limited to a maximum of 100km of running on Pirelli Academy Tyres.

So far, Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault have run 2018-spec cars, at Silverstone, Mugello and the Red Bull Ring respectively, with Racing Point testing 2020 machinery at Silverstone.

Red Bull's sister AlphaTauri also ran current machinery earlier this week at Imola, with Daniil Kvyat and Pierre Gasly splitting driving duties.

Gasly was delighted to be back driving the car for the first time since pre-season testing. "I woke up this morning feeling excited and happy and I will fall asleep tonight in the same mood," he said.

"It was also special to drive a Formula 1 car at Imola, which is one of my favourite tracks. I think we are now ready for Austria.‬"

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