Teams agree to new test sessions

Two-hour test sessions will become a reality in Formula One next season after enough teams agreed to the measure.

At least three teams had to agree to restrict private testing next season to be allowed to run their third car and spare driver on the Friday morning of race weekends.

“Following the receipt of a sufficient number of team applications, a two-hour test session will be run on the Friday of each event in the 2003 FIA Formula 1 World Championship,” read a statement by FIA, the sport’s governing body.

“Teams taking advantage of the new two-hour session will limit their other testing to 10 days during the F1 season (March-October 2003).”

The teams which have signed up have not been named by the FIA, though Minardi boss Paul Stoddart had already indicated he would agree to the limitation on testing.

Swiss-based outfit Sauber, one of the teams who were thought to be in favour of the proposal, announced today they had decided not to sign up.

“Although this was not an easy decision, there were no doubts about it in the end,” said team boss Peter Sauber. “We’re currently building an ultra-modern wind tunnel in Hinwil; this is a clear commitment to a forward-looking strategy.

“Our decision to continue free testing, rather than being limited to 10 test days during the season, points in the same direction. This is the only way for us to continually optimise the development of the car in the long term.”

The FIA hope all teams will eventually agree to limit testing in favour of extra hours on a grand prix weekend in a move aimed at reducing costs in F1.