Testing authorized during the season?

In-season testing could be authorized again next season. Thus, a day of testing should be allocated to teams that decide to change drivers during the year.

Published on 09/09/2009 à 13:39

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Will in-season testing make an appearance again? While several teams want a relaxation of the test ban rule during the season, it could be that the FIA decides to allow teams to benefit from one day under certain conditions.

According to Auto Motor und Sport, this rule would only apply in the event that a team decided to replace one of its drivers. This season, this was the case for several teams like Toro Rosso (Alguersuari replaced Bourdais), Renault (Grosjean took Piquet's place), Ferrari (After the Massa accident, Michael Schumacher was considered before Badoer then Fisichella took turns at the wheel of the F60) or Force India (Liuzzi replaced Fisichella).

A test day would then be authorized in these specific cases to allow drivers not to discover everything on the Friday of the first free practice sessions for a Grand Prix. On the other hand, to avoid abuse, other measures would be taken. So in situations like those of Schumacher? who finally gave up replacing Massa? this day would have been deducted from the authorized test day quota.