Williams’ Sam Michael says proposal of in-season testing put forward to Sporting Working Group
Williams’ technical director Sam Michael has stated that a proposal of having in-season testing session in the 2011 Formula 1 season has been put forward to Sporting Working Group after the Silverstone Grand Prix.
Sam added that although no voting on the matter has been done yet but it is expected that the young drivers will get some time out in the 2011 season to familiarise themselves with the track and the car.
He further added that a few proposals on the idea have been put forward by the SWG as well and Formula 1 teams will decide themselves what to do as it is in every team’s interest to have some in-season testing session.
“That is being reviewed in the Sporting Working Group right now and we had a meeting at Silverstone about it. There has not been a vote yet. All they have done is put a few ideas out there about what you could potentially do, which might involve doing an
extra young drivers' test during the season,” stated Sam.
Commenting on the V6 turbo charged engines and the exhaust-blowing saga, Sam stated, “There have been too many other things to sort out. It's been pretty far down the list of priorities especially in terms of V6 engines and exhaust blowing. It's the sort
of thing that could be sorted out in an afternoon if need be.”
The in-season testing session was banned after the 2008 season and since then, many appeals have been put forward by Formula 1 teams to allow some testing sessions during the season so that the drivers can acquaint themselves with the track and the conditions.
However, as the Formula 1 decided to cut down the costs, in-season testing sessions were banned.
Earlier in 2011, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Jean Todt stated that some in-season testing sessions should be allowed for the young drivers.
Nevertheless, two races are to be contested before the Formula 1 world takes a break of almost a month in August which will be a good time for testing session. Let’s see if it gets a green signal.
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