Racing Point to shake down new car at Silverstone next week ahead of 2020 season start

The pink car that impressed so many at winter testing will hit the track again for the first time since February when Racing Point shake down the RP20 at Silverstone on Wednesday 17 June.

Formula1.com has learned that Lance Stroll is expected to be in the car, with Racing Point – who are based over the road from Silverstone – using the shorter National Circuit layout to shake off the rust ahead of the season restart in Austria at the start of next month.

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Mercedes were the first to complete a private test, the world champions running a 2018 car over two days at Silverstone, with Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas running a day each. Ferrari are set to carry out a similar test later this month with an older spec car.

However, as it stands, Racing Point will be the first team to run their current car in such a test, with the Lawrence Stroll-owned outfit using one of their “promotional event” days to do so.

Teams are allocated two of those each season so they can collect imagery and video footage which they, their partners and the media can use during the year. The team will be limited to 100km on the day and must use demonstration-spec tyres.

The test will allow Racing Point to run through new protocols which will be in place in Austria following the coronavirus pandemic, while also offering Stroll the opportunity to sharpen his skills ahead of F1’s racing return.

The Silverstone-based team turned heads at pre-season testing when they released a car that bore a striking resemblance to last year’s championship-winning Mercedes. The RP20 looked quick from the outset and is tipped to compete at the front of the midfield this year.

TECH INSIGHT: Why the new Racing Point RP20 caused a stir at pre-season testing