“Some teams generating income from the Young Driver Test”- Zak Brown on Renault Abu Dhabi controversy

“Some teams generating income from the Young Driver Test”- Zak Brown alleges Renault saw an advantage by going ahead with Abu Dhabi test.

Renault picked several criticisms from experts and counterparts when they declared Fernando Alonso for the young drivers’ test in Abu Dhabi, which was meant for the emerging talent in Formula 1.

But Renault rationalised it by claiming that Alonso is returning to Formula 1 after a gap of two years and needed the session, though later the Spaniard himself dismissed the need for it.

Speaking on the controversy, McLaren chief Zak Brown has alleged that Renault saw a monetary advantage by going through the test session in Abu Dhabi.

“Some teams generating income from the Young Driver Test raised their hands and said they needed that money,” said Zak Brown to the Motorsport-total.com.

Brown also mentioned pay drivers pouring money to the teams to let them drive for a day, but in this context, Renault doesn’t seem to be in it.

Surprised Fernando Alonso was allowed to drive.

Brown sticking to the point also claimed that Renault wouldn’t have asserted themselves to participate in the session if they hadn’t seen any advantage. Meanwhile, his side stayed away from the session, with their new driver Daniel Ricciardo disallowed to participate in the test.

“I don’t think it’s a big advantage, but in motorsport, every advantage you can get is taken into account. But let’s put it this way, Renault would not have pushed this through if they thought it would not bring any advantage.”

“I think that if we were to do it again, it would probably just be a test for young drivers,” concludes Brown. McLaren this year made impactful performances on the track and ended up third in the constructors’ championship.

Moreover, they also earned two podiums in 2020, each belonging to their drivers Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz, the latter would be driving for Ferrari in 2021.

About the author

Tanish Chachra

Tanish Chachra is the Motorsport editor at The SportsRush. He saw his first race when F1 visited India in 2011, and since then, his romance with the sport has been seasonal until he took up this role in 2020. Reigniting F1's coverage on this site, Tanish has fallen in love with the sport all over again. He loves Kimi Raikkonen and sees a future world champion in Oscar Piastri. Away from us, he loves to snuggle inside his books.

Read More