Rules require two of four test days to be dedicated to young drivers; Neither Rosberg or Wehrlein who tested in Barcelona meet that regulation
Thursday 19 May 2016 11:17, UK
Lewis Hamilton will be unable to participate for Mercedes at the 2016 in-season test at Silverstone after Nico Rosberg and Pascal Wehrlein drove for the Silver Arrows in Barcelona.
The 2016 F1 Sporting Regulations require two of the four in-season test days to be dedicated to young driver testing, with the requisite that the driver has not started more than two grands prix.
The regulations state that 'Each team must allocate at least two of the [in-season test] days for young driver training tests. No driver who has competed in more than two F1 World Championship races may take part in such tests'.
Originally Esteban Ocon was scheduled to drive in Barcelona, which would have satisfied the regulations. However, the Frenchman was replaced by Wehrlein for Day Two of the test as the team required a driver with more experience to test parts in Barcelona.
As the German has started five races in 2016, it means neither of Mercedes' test days counts towards their required young driver running.
The Silver Arrows had stated on Tuesday that Hamilton would test at Silverstone, but the late substitution of Ocon for Wehrlein leaves Mercedes with just two days of testing remaining and two days of young driver testing required.
Hamilton did not take part in either in-season test in 2015, but still won the world title with three races to spare.
