The Limited Testing Conundrum

[Valve Bounce]

It will be interesting to see which three teams will sign up for this arrangement. Minardi will probably have signed up already, along with Eddie Jordan. Maybe Sauber, BAR, Arrows definitely if they do a Lazarus.
However, I cannot see Ferrari agreeing to it as they have too much to gain from intensive testing for development on aero, blackbox, and tyres. I have already noticed a trend during practice when the Ferraris don't go out for as many laps as the others. There cars are already set up nearly perfectly for each race and only need minor adjustments.
It will remain an interesting debate during the year whether additional two hours of practice/testing at the track of the actual race will be of greater benefit than testing at specialist testing tracks like Fiorano.
I wonder which way McLaren, Williams, and Renault will go.
What are your feelings?

[Wrex]

Well this may not be the most acurate guide, but when you add test days per driver per team together, Forix shows the following number of test days:

Williams 164
Ferrari 153
BAR 116
Renault 110
McLaren 108
Jaguar 80
Jordan 77
Toyota 76
Sauber 67
Minardi 35
Arrows 30

Remembering all drivers in the car count though. eg: Alonso and Webber in the jaguar are counted as a day each.

So this is only a rough guide, but gives us an idea.

A further breakdown of who drove when can be found HERE

[Mr V]

Ferrari are never going to agree to it when they have two of their own tracks available, so i can't see the likes of Williams, McLaren and Renault agreeing to it either.

[Wrex]

I can't see any of the top 5 on this list going for it. The only thing that may sway the decion of the smaller teams, is TV coverage for the sponsors. They may insist on the Friday option if the camera's are on.

[Dutton]

Paul ha already said Minardi will. EJ should if he is to back up his commentating with action.

This is one aspect of the changes which is good because it gives the teams the option if they want it, but should they take it it will increase the gulf of course: but that is the choice of the teams.

[Valve Bounce]

I think Brrmax are banking on the value of practice/testing on the actual racetrack vs normal testing.

[Lee Janotta]

BS plans like this are what happens when the sanctioning body gives up decision-making power to the teams.

Voluntary testing limits. That's like voluntary campaign spending limits.

[Valve Bounce]

Just a thought - how many spectators are going to turn up to watch Friday practice when the top 6 teams are not circulating? Surely this is not going to help improve track attendance. Up till now, at least we saw the red cars, and that is exciting. Then there is this preliminary qualifying run when the actual times do not count. All this was introduced to replace those lunatic proposals like swapping drivers, or ballast penalties, and so on.
Does anyone have the timetable for the next bus to the funny farm? Bermax could be interested.

[Wrex]

Originally posted by Valve Bounce
Just a thought - how many spectators are going to turn up to watch Friday practice when the top 6 teams are not circulating?

Valve, no offense but you seem to be a little confused by many of the new rules.

You can read the Press conference here (half way down the page) and more details HERE. All the cars will still run in the same Friday sessions they always have. However there will be two additional sessions. One for the teams (2 hours) who limit testing to 10 days, and another for Super-Pole.

[Valve Bounce]

I get confused - it's late

[Wrex]

or too many Reds Valve