Friday testing confirmed for 2003

By Andrew Hooper
December 18 2002

 

 

  
Friday tests confirmed
 
It was announced by the FIA that Friday morning test sessions would take place during the 2003 season. The FIA has received applications from three teams of their intention to use the Friday in order to test their cars. The three teams is the minimum number needed for the plan to proceed.

The FIA has not named the teams that have signed but it is known that Minardi was the first. It is rumoured that Jordan may be another team to sign.

The FIA statement read: "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 One World Championship."

With the three teams now using the Friday to test their cars the Fridays of Grand Prix weekends will see those teams allowed to take to the track between 9:00 am and 11:00 am. During this two hours the teams will be able to have unrestricted access to the track, including the use of t-cars and test drivers. For those teams who have not signed up their weekends will commence from 11:00.

There have also be stories of the possibility of the format of Grand Prix weekends changing. Minardi boss Paul Stoddart said: "In view of the changes it makes sense to change the time-table, and my personal opinion is that we will. But you will have to ask Bernie (Ecclestone) about it."

Stoddart believes that the recently introduced Friday testing will run from 9:00am - 11:00am on Fridays, with first timed practice scheduled for 12:00pm – 1: 00pm. Single-lap preliminary qualifying will take place from 2:00pm - 3:00pm.

For Saturdays, Stoddart the most likely scenario is two 45-minute practice sessions from 9:00am - 9:45am and 10:15am - 11:00am respectively, with grid-place qualifying from 2:00pm - 3:00pm.
 
 
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