FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[LewEngBridewell]

Formula 1 teams have edged closer an agreement for in-season testing to return in 2012, AUTOSPORT can reveal.

FIA president Jean Todt said earlier this year that he was keen for the in-season testing ban to be lifted - as he thought it ridiculous that outfits could do no proper private running once the campaign got underway.

Team principals discussed the idea of testing at a meeting of the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) at the Nurbugring on Saturday night, with AUTOSPORT understanding that major progress was made in finding a plan that received support from everyone.

Although the final details still need to be sorted, teams are close to approving the idea of a single three-day test that will take place before the start of the European season.

No venue has been chosen for the test, but one possibility being looked at is Mugello.

In a bid to keep costs down for teams, the plan is for them to cut back on pre-season days in exchange for the new test. Instead of the current 15 days they have, teams will instead have 12 days of running ahead of the 2012 campaign.

Before further plans can be made for the test, the teams now need a final calendar to be sorted out by Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA - because they want the test to be slotted in during a three-week break. Ideally that gap will come between the first flyaway races and the beginning of the European stage of the season.

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh, who is chairman of FOTA, suggested that if the test goes ahead it will not necessarily be just race drivers who get running.

"We do like testing," he explained. "I can see the pros and cons or a return of in-season testing, and I think it is an opportunity for some younger drivers to get mileage. I don't think we necessarily have to pound our race drivers around for several days."

[Bubbie]

I support completely lifting test bans.

This will give all the teams a better chance to catch up to a team that is romping away (2009, 2011).

This will give teams a chance to let new drivers get used to the car before they jump in for a GP weekend, and also see how an up and comer can do in the car.

If it is a little team versus big team thing then have a big team have to funnel off a certain percentage of their profits to a fund that is used to provide shared test days for the smaller teams (say any teams that haven't scored any points). Also, television rights could be sold for these shared test days which would help the teams with the cost - it would be kinda cool.

But I think a lot of these teams crying poverty at the backend of the paddock actually could have lots more money than some of the midfield teams if they really got it together on the business side and maybe their rich owners putting more cash up.

[Jabberwocky]

Maybe they should unrestrict P1 and 2 a bit more.

[Drthjustice]

Personally I would like to see one test day on the Monday after each race. But the teams would only be allowed to use their third driver. David Hobbs alluded to this during the coverage of the British GP.

[LewEngBridewell]

Personally I would like to see one test day on the Monday after each race.

Some team members and mechanics would hit the roof if they heard that suggestion Especially if the next race is just the week after... like this week's.

[andrew]

I'm all for a return to unlimited in-season testing. If nothing else it is a safety hazard unpracticed drivers not being able to get experience outside of races.

[myownalias]

I would support unlimited testing for no other reason than to stop runaway leads like we saw in 2009 and 2011; teams like McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes have the technical and financial clout to claw back time like there is no tomorrow when they can use the full force of their power when playing catch-up! We'd only see teams having a 1 - 2 race advantage instead of half a season.

[LewEngBridewell]

I would support unlimited testing for no other reason than to stop runaway leads like we saw in 2009 and 2011; teams like McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes have the technical and financial clout to claw back time like there is no tomorrow when they can use the full force of their power when playing catch-up! We'd only see teams having a 1 - 2 race advantage instead of half a season.

[Jabberwocky]

but that financial clout will also mean they can do more testing, so they can stay ahead.

[myownalias]

but that financial clout will also mean they can do more testing, so they can stay ahead.

That's true, but right now it takes half a season to catch up if one team is uber dominant at the start of the season; it'll put emphasis back on the development race as well as action on the track!

[darwin dali]

All I'm sayin': make Fridays before a GP a full testing day. Teams and crowd are already there anyway. They could alternate test sessions on that Friday with support races and/or qualis. A full day of entertainment for the spectators and a full day of testing for the teams - 2 birds with one stone

[Drthjustice]

How was testing done before? I didn't get into F1 until the 2008 season.

[andrew]

How was testing done before? I didn't get into F1 until the 2008 season.

There was unlimited testing, then the then FIA administration attempted to make a cut price F1.

[LewEngBridewell]

F1 team have picked Mugello for 2012's new mid-season test.

Source: Autosport

Formula 1 testing will return to Mugello next year after teams provisionally agreed for their in-season run to take place at the Italian track, AUTOSPORT can reveal.

The Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) met on Sunday morning to discuss the venue for the single in-season test that outfits have been looking at slotting in.

Silverstone, Barcelona and Jerez were all discussed as possibilities, but high level sources have revealed that in the end it was decided that Mugello would be the best option. It is understood that some of the smaller teams are still lobbying to try and have the test at the UK venue, though the decision is thought to have been made.

The current plan is for the Mugello test to take place in the first week of May, between the final flyaway race at the start of the 2012 campaign and the first event in Europe, which is scheduled to take place in Spain on May 13.

It is understood that Mugello became the preferred option because as well as providing good quality facilities and a venue that is valuable for aerodynamic performance, Ferrari (which owns the circuit) was willing to help host the test - so it would not become too expensive for the teams.

The agreement of the Mugello test plan means that teams are now settled on their pre-season testing plans too - with 2012 running commencing at Jerez on February 7. Two further pre-season tests will take place at Barcelona from February 21-24 and March 1-4.

F1 teams are also seeking a slight tweak to the 2012 schedule, requesting that the Indian and Chinese GPs swap places on the calendar to help with the travel of freight for the opening four races of the campaign.

[bud]

Nice of Ferrari to host it free of charge for the other teams.