The colour Purple for Pirelli as Abu Dhabi test is confirmed

Pirelli has confirmed that the 12-hour tyre test will take place in Abu Dhabi on December 1, two days after the final race of the season.

As previously noted the World Motor Sport Council had to vote on a rule change to allow the test to go ahead. The purpose of the day is to run the new 2016 Ultra Soft and revised constructions – the FIA considered that it was vital to let it go ahead on safety grounds.

The test will run from 9am to 9pm, and teams are expected to run up to 500kms each, and they can run more than one drives. 

Some teams had been reluctant to agree to the test being added to the schedule, mainly on cost grounds, and because they had booked travel arrangements that could not be changed.

However, the likes of Sauber and Force India have been appeased by Pirelli agreeing that teams could run rookie drivers, who bring finance, for part of the day, despite its original requirement for drivers with 2015 experience. Manor told Pirelli last weekend that it would not take part.

Pirelli says: “Teams have been asked to run preferably race or reserve drivers, and they will not be allowed to try new parts nor alter the cars during the test.

“Pirelli will define the test programme for each car. The tyres used during this test will not be considered as part of the testing allocation for 2015.”

Meanwhile Pirelli has confirmed that the Ultra Soft will have a purple sidewall.