Mercedes brought Formula 1’s on-track hiatus to an end on Tuesday as Valtteri Bottas completed running at British Grand Prix venue Silverstone.
The squad organised a two-day test at the circuit, located a short drive from its Brackley base, in order to become accustomed to procedures in a post-coronavirus landscape.
Mechanics socially distanced as best as possible and wore masks and other PPE [Personal Protective Equipment] in the garage.
Each team member present in the garage had already tested negative for Covid-19.
Bottas got behind the wheel of Mercedes’ 2018-spec title-winning W09, which ran in the squad’s updated 2020 livery, in cool and dry conditions at Silverstone.
Reigning World Champion Lewis Hamilton will drive the car on Wednesday.
Formula 1’s season will begin with back-to-back races in Austria in early July.
Plans are being implemented in order to create a ‘biosphere’, with teams socially distancing from each other, travelling in groups, and staying in different hotels.
Further events have been confirmed for Hungary, Britain, Spain, Belgium and Italy, with the remainder of the calendar currently being composed.
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