Mercedes and McLaren will test at the legendary Nürburgring circuit later this month as part of a Pirelli tire development program during Formula 1's enforced spring break, according to Motorsport Week.
The German venue will host F1 action for the first time since the COVID-affected 2020 season, with the test coinciding with the current gap in the championship calendar.
Red Bull has already completed alternative testing at Suzuka last week, while Mercedes and McLaren were originally selected for Pirelli's tire development program during this period.
Strategic Advantages of German Venue
The Nürburgring location offers significant logistical benefits for the participating teams, with much closer proximity to the 11 teams' European bases compared to traditional Middle East testing venues.
The circuit's technical characteristics also provide specific development advantages. Unlike Bahrain's consistent high-temperature, low-grip conditions, the Nürburgring's variable weather and different asphalt composition will allow Mercedes and McLaren to gather tire performance data across a broader range of conditions.
The German circuit's elevation changes and diverse corner combinations—from slow-speed technical sections to high-speed sweepers—offer a more comprehensive testing environment for aerodynamic and suspension development compared to Bahrain's relatively flat, uniform layout.
Historic Venue Returns
The Nürburgring has hosted multiple F1 events under different guises since opening its shorter GP-Strecke layout in 1984, adjacent to the infamous Nordschleife 'Green Hell.'
The venue previously staged the German Grand Prix, European Grand Prix, and twice served as the Luxembourg Grand Prix in the late 1990s. The circuit last hosted F1 during the 2020 Eifel Grand Prix, serving as an emergency venue during the pandemic-disrupted calendar.
Germany hasn't held a regular F1 race since the 2019 German Grand Prix at Hockenheim, which dropped off the calendar amid financial issues and declining attendance.
Development Focus During Break
The test will provide crucial development data as teams prepare major upgrades for the championship's resumption. F1 faces a five-week gap until the next scheduled race, giving teams extended time to analyze data and implement improvements.
Both Mercedes and McLaren will use the session to validate aerodynamic updates and optimize car setups in preparation for upcoming races, with the diverse testing conditions at the Nürburgring offering more representative data than wind tunnel simulations alone.
Source: Motorsport Week