Formula One teams demand Six Tests before 2011 Season
For the 2011 season, the Formula One teams are to be granted with more time for on track pre-test as compared to the little time they had on their disposal before the start of the current season.
Before the start of the 2010 season, the teams were given only a total of four winter testing sessions. Two of these took place at Jerez, while the other two were scheduled at Barcelona and Valencia each. The teams, which were already not satisfied with the little test time that was given to them, further had a blow as any within-season testing also got banned by FIA. Now, as the teams discussed their demands for the upcoming season, many were loud to declare that they did not have enough mileage last season and now they do not wish the same to be repeated again for next year.
The McLaren team boss, Martin Whitmarsh now revealed to the media that the teams have put forward the demand of having more practice sessions before the next season would begin, which he believes would be granted. The demand is currently under consideration by FIA as the teams wanted to have another two testing sessions before the 2011 calendar.
"We've agreed there will be six tests during the winter and probably the last one will be in Bahrain but it hasn't been quite agreed yet," Whitmarsh said.
Whitmarsh also acts as the chairman of Formula One Teams' Association, and had always played a vital role in influencing FIA for any demands raised by the teams.
While talking to Reuters, he stated that, "We want to make sure that it's cost effective for the small teams."
Though the teams also requested to have in-season testing, as it used to happen previously, but Whitmarsh very clearly told that it is unlikely to be accepted.
He explained saying that he personally agrees with some of the teams that want more testing, yet he accepts the fact that there are teams for which this would not be possible and their efficiency would further lower due to unequal tests.
However, he was happy with the fact that at least the addition of six tests in the winter is a step forward and better than what the teams have had this season.
He added that probably in the next few seasons the teams would be able to bring back the within-season tests back as well.
"I'd like to see a couple of tests but we've made some progress. To have six tests in the winter is more than we've had in recent years."
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