Smaller teams will get more track time

[Nicholas]

F1 teams who can’t afford to test could be given extra track time during grand prix weekends.

The proposal has been put forward by the FIA in a bid to resolve the dispute between F1’s top teams and those who are struggling to make ends meet.

(ITV-f1.com)

Basically they'll get more time on the track on the Saturday before the GP. I think this is a great idea- not only do the teams actually get to test (hello Minardi) but presumably they get more television coverage, so everyone is happy!

They might try out the idea later this month at the Monaco GP.

[StuiE]

yay

[f1manoz]

Smart move by the FIA. This will cut the costs for Formula One teams who find it a struggle to find the finances to test constantly. Hopefully this extra time on track will improve the performances of teams like Jordan and Minardi, who are struggling.

But if or when will this plan be implemented?

[Lee Janotta]

It'll help some... But what happens when the 1 engine rule comes into effect?

[Valve Bounce]

This is a red herring. I have been following practice and quals on F1-Live, and this website tabulates the number of laps cars do as well as give lap times when they come out. It is obvious that very few cars actually do any practice during the first 20 minutes, and it's the same during quals. OK, Minardi does a few more laps early on, not many, but they sure as heck do not use practice to full advantage. The only advantage is if an extra session is run for the non factory teams. However, once the 1 engine per race rule comes in effect, only Minardi can take advantage of this, because they will be the only team who can use an unlimited number of engines without being penalised on the grid.

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[Stephen Green]

The problem with this idea is that it will be too late to impliment any of the information gathered by the extra testing, because it will be right before the GP and not allow the teams to manufacture any new or altered parts.

[billyblister]

Then there is the whole qusetion of tyres!

I think this would be difficult to implement. Which teams would be allowed more track time? How would you measure this, by income? Where do you draw the line for teams?

While it may benefit some smaller teams I don't think teams should be handed an advantage such as this and others not.

[The Red BARon]

Originally posted by f1manoz
Smart move by the FIA. This will cut the costs for Formula One teams who find it a struggle to find the finances to test constantly. Hopefully this extra time on track will improve the performances of teams like Jordan and Minardi, who are struggling.

But if or when will this plan be implemented?

But don't you see it just rewards the **** teams!

Where is the incentive to be succesful in business and raise a testing budget?

Ron Dennis is right on this one. Anyone who can't afford to go testing is failing in their job as an F1 team pricipal. They just simply are not any good at business/marketing. Sorry to be Darwinian about it but it's tough on the lesser teams. If you can't stand the heat getout of the kitchen....or go and buy an off the shelf CART car by Lola and run in a seris in the US with your ineply smal budget.

[Nicholas]

It's all very well for BAR, they have a budget