The dangers of an in-season testing ban.

[gloomyDAY]

Ferrari have an empty seat after Felipe's accident, but their test drivers (Mike and Luca) have never tested the actual F60. I just think that it is an unfair expectation for a driver to come to grips with a new car in 3 practice sessions and qualifying before getting into an actual race.

I think it should be stipulated in the rules that the reserve drivers can at least have a test session during the season to better develop the cars, obviously, but more importantly have a seasoned driver waiting in the wings.

 

[ArrowsFA1]

Coming from a slightly different perspective, I think it was Felipe who spoke out against the testing ban some time ago. His view was that there was a safety issue with bringing un-tested new parts to a race weekend.

 

[Saint Devote]

The whole concept of not testing is illogical.

F1 cars ARE test vehicles because they are at the forefront of a technology - despite the current trend by the FIA to dumb it down and chase people such as Ilien and Newey away which would effectively signal the end of the f1 concept.

The risk is increased and the sport loses because new drivers cannot be assessed by teams.

I like the idea offered by Gary Anderson of at least two periods of two test days and and or preferrably making the Thursday of a grand prix a test day.

 

[Knock-on]

Coming from a slightly different perspective, I think it was Felipe who spoke out against the testing ban some time ago. His view was that there was a safety issue with bringing un-tested new parts to a race weekend.

Was the suspension module modified from the setup that started the season does anyone know.

Anyway, regardless of this, I think the current situation is crazy.

I suppose the arguement is that teams have the opportunity to give a test pilot a shake down before the season starts. It's not the FIA's fault if they don't do it.

The problem with this rule is that it's a badly thought out, knee jerk solution.

One possible solution is that they have a spare care that can have a 60 minute shake down at the very beginning of a weekend but the current drivers cannot do this test. That would allow a 3rd or test driver to check parts and get drive experience with little additional cost.

 

[ioan]

I like the idea offered by Gary Anderson of at least two periods of two test days and and or preferrably making the Thursday of a grand prix a test day.

I'd rather have it the Monday after the race, in order to be sure that they will not spend time on set-up for the coming race but rather focus on testing new parts to be introduce a few races later.

 

[DexDexter]

I'd rather have it the Monday after the race, in order to be sure that they will not spend time on set-up for the coming race but rather focus on testing new parts to be introduce a few races later.

That's a good idea, the costs wouldn't be too high. IMO they shouldn't have those after every race but on few occasions during the season.

 

[Sonic]

Its a logical and well thought out plan; so obviously it will never happen!

Obviously at some tracks (monaco) it could never work. But surely half a dozen test days a year wouldn't be a stupid idea.

 

[Knock-on]

I'd rather have it the Monday after the race, in order to be sure that they will not spend time on set-up for the coming race but rather focus on testing new parts to be introduce a few races later.

Yep, either before or after the GP is a good idea.

Doesn't have to be a full day though. 1 or 2 hours fitted in somewhere is enough.

 

[Jon 'Massa' Beagles]

In-season testing should only be allowed for the bottom half of the championship...that would keep everyone on their toes and ensure a more even playing field.

 

[Mark]

Yep, either before or after the GP is a good idea.

Doesn't have to be a full day though. 1 or 2 hours fitted in somewhere is enough.

The day after the GP idea is a good one. Obviously it wouldn't work for temporary circuits, but for permanent race tracks then it's a very sensible idea.

 

[ShiftingGears]

In-season testing should only be allowed for the bottom half of the championship...that would keep everyone on their toes and ensure a more even playing field.

That would be a complete joke.

 

[Jon 'Massa' Beagles]

That would be a complete joke.

Why? This would be the catalyst that smaller teams in F1 need. The bigger and faster teams are not the ones who need the testing mileage...sure they could and would use it, but if they did have problems then they would be in this bottom half of the championship. And thus able to test!

Name an issue with it, cos unsubstantiated slander is somewhat unnecessary IMO.

 

[Knock-on]

Why? This would be the catalyst that smaller teams in F1 need. The bigger and faster teams are not the ones who need the testing mileage...sure they could and would use it, but if they did have problems then they would be in this bottom half of the championship. And thus able to test!

Name an issue with it, cos unsubstantiated slander is somewhat unnecessary IMO.

If you want to create an unfair playing field.

All teams must be treated equally IMHO

 

[Jon 'Massa' Beagles]

If you want to create an unfair playing field.

All teams must be treated equally IMHO

How would it create an unfair playing field? The whole point is that if a team started benefitting so much from it that they gained a performance advantage they would score points and move out of the teams that are able to test!

If a team not testing was struggling, well it would soon drop into the section of team's allowed to test.

My suggestion is fluid, as in it would change race by race, and as no team is going to deliberately throw away points...it could work. And it would treat every team equally as they'd all have the same chance...treating teams as we do now ensures that new teams struggle to break through and that the same teams dominate until the rules are changed.

This would be a way of preventing that.

 

[ioan]

That would be a complete joke.

Agree.

 

[Knock-on]

How would it create an unfair playing field? The whole point is that if a team started benefitting so much from it that they gained a performance advantage they would score points and move out of the teams that are able to test!

If a team not testing was struggling, well it would soon drop into the section of team's allowed to test.

My suggestion is fluid, as in it would change race by race, and as no team is going to deliberately throw away points...it could work. And it would treat every team equally as they'd all have the same chance...treating teams as we do now ensures that new teams struggle to break through and that the same teams dominate until the rules are changed.

This would be a way of preventing that.

If you want to compete in F1 then you should do it on an even playing field. There should not be a handicap system that punishes the sucessful and rewards the mediocre.

This is the pinnacle of motorsport and teams must fight toe to toe without artificial help for the weak.

I would be as against that as I was the preferential treatment Ferrari received.

 

[Sonic]

I'm with knockie and Ioan on this one.

3rd drivers for 5th place team and lower were given more testing privilages before. It was a rubbish idea then and is still pants now.

 

[christophulus]

The Monday test sessions sound like a good idea, and I've seen ideas about having a few open test days at Silverstone, Monza etc like they used to have. Thursday tests could work too if only designated test drivers were allowed to drive the cars?

 

[Jon 'Massa' Beagles]

@KnockOn look at the system, it may reward the mediocre but only if they use it well, and it in no way punishes the strong...rather it simply does not reward them.

You cannot possibly expect F1 to continue to be exciting without some changes, and 90% of F1 fans love the plucky smaller teams. You want more of them then you have to give them a helping hand somehow...maybe in-season testing is not the way. But as cost cutting is not an option that any larger team is seeimgly readily willing to accept, this is just a possiblity.

I myself would prefer the return of Pre-Qualifying to more testing, considering that it would be far more exciting on Friday afternoons...and that would also give smaller teams an opportunity to run some more miles in a competitive arena.

 

[Knock-on]

I understand the point you are making but fundementally disagree with it. If you are benefitting the slower teams by giving them an advantage denied to the faster teams, it follows that they are on the losing end of the arrangement.

I would love more teams in F1 with pre-qualifying etc but only on a level playing field. You get better by investing time, effort and money to build up the skills and experience necessary to win. Winning is not a right but acknowledgement that you have done a better job with the same opportunity as everyone else out there.

People will jump up and say that Toyota, Ferrari, McLaren have bigger budgets compared to the smaller teams but everyone has the opportunity to secure as much money as they are worth. You are not saying to a team that because they aren't doing as well, they can have an extra $$$.

Just doesn't work for me.