Ecclestone wants Monday tests after races

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Ecclestone wants Monday tests after races

11/10/09 14:19

F1-Live.com

In-season testing may be reinstated
Bernie Ecclestone has hinted that a novel approach to reducing testing costs will be adopted by Formula One in the near future.

This year's in-season testing ban has been controversial, not because the teams have struggled to develop their cars, but because it has all but ended the test-driver era as well as made it difficult for newcomers to enter the sport.

"I am sure that in the future we will test on the Monday after races," the F1 chief executive said in an interview with Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

"The cars are already there, the people as well. The costs will be kept within limits and we can give young drivers a chance.

"The failure of the current system is that it is virtually impossible to test young drivers," Ecclestone explained.
"That protects the established drivers, but it is absolutely wrong."

It had been suggested several months ago that the usual Friday practice sessions could become testing sessions instead. Ecclestone's plan moves that to Mondays, leaving the Friday practice sessions with their habitual role of setting up the cars for qualifying and race day.

D.B. © CAPSIS International
Source: GMM