Testing ban enforced???

[Minardi fan]

I have read somewhere that all the teams have agreed on:

a) a ban on testing at a GP circuit in the 4 weeks before it's race is held;

and

b) a 3 week summer break from all F1 including GP's and testing in August.

Has this been confirmed?

[Red]

It's not official yet (I guess). Apparently they will ban all testing on the GP tracks like you said, but I did not hear something about 3 weeks break. I heard something else instead, which I think it's nice: they will be allowed two extra sets of tyres. (I presume two dry-weather tyres, for a total of 10 sets). They will have to give them back after Friday free-practice sessions (actually I heard that three sets will be returned!!), so it'll be pointless to save tyres...

[ozywoodwards]

I heard that Eddie Jordan was the guiding force behind the summer break, as he wants all the middle aged men to have time to rest from their relentless formula 1 schedule and to have time to spend with their families.

I heard that it's unlikely to be in place next year but it's almost certain for 2002.

While a good idea in theory I doubt that it will work in practice as all F1 teams seem to work 60 hour weeks whatever restrictions are placed on them, and I also think that the car companies which own the teams may preasurise the team owners to work through this break.