Testing ban & Ferrari...

[Sodemo]

It was mentioned in yesterdays quali coverage about the forthcoming test ban, and that Ferrari plan to test right the way through the summer?

I thought the summer test ban was an FIA imposed measure and could not be sidestepped?

[Kicking-back]

No, it's also a gentleman's agreement.

The FIA's involvement is simply the gap between Hungary and the next Grand Prix.

[Knowlesy]

Well Ferrari can test all they want. They have been all year. And they've contrived to go backwards.

Still stinks mind you.

[ralf fan]

If Ferrari were 2 secs faster than everyone else this wouldve been a major issue...

[Knowlesy]

Well it still is a major issue in a sense. But then again, if it's only a gentlemans agreement they are breaking rather than sporting code, then it's hard to get too uptight about it.

[ASCII Man]

Well, Minardi did the same last year and Ferrari are starting to perform like Minardi so no problem.

[Jordi]

Perhaps if they sat and actually talked about a common measure, all, the teams and the FIA, they could make it a rule. But they don't, so there's no problem for Ferrari to keep testing.

[JeremySmith]

Originally Posted by knowlesy

Well Ferrari can test all they want. They have been all year. And they've contrived to go backwards.

Still stinks mind you.

Ditto. And I am a big fan of Ferrari but a gentleman's agreement is, well you know what I mean.

[Dutton]

I'm not aware of Ferrari ever joining the agreement, so then they are not doing anything wrong - neither legally or morally.

Alas, all the testing in the world may well not make much difference anyway - unless they manage some break through with the tyres, for they will never be able to get he car improved adequately.

[Mr V]

Originally Posted by Jordi

Perhaps if they sat and actually talked about a common measure, all, the teams and the FIA, they could make it a rule. But they don't, so there's no problem for Ferrari to keep testing.

Ferrari the other teams and the FIA will never find a "common measure" on this (I presume you mean a compromise?). Ferrari have 2 private testing facilities, the other teams don't, they also have a tyre manufacturer (Bridgestone) willing to pay them $38 Million per annum to test their product, the other teams don't, so the compromise will never happen *

*Which makes their downturn in performance this season all the more satisfying

[Jordi]

Well, Ferrari proposed a limited number of km, I don't see why the teams couldn't agree to that instead of days.

[SetikX]

^ Because thats not really cost cutting is it? Infact, its less economic! When you spend thousands apon thousands on hotels, flights to and from the location, and track facilities - the last thing you should do is turn up and do 25% of the total avaliable km's. THe only thing your saving is fuel! Ferrari's counter-offer was a farce just so they could rebut "hey, we offered something and you declined!".

[JeremySmith]

The FIA should make a rule on the amount of testing period, too bad if Ferrari do not like it. Bridgestone should do there own tyre testing IMO.

[Tone]

Originally Posted by JeremySmith

Bridgestone should do there own tyre testing IMO.

So how would they do this, build an F1 car?

[JeremySmith]

Originally Posted by Tone

So how would they do this, build an F1 car?

Very simple....Use one of Ferrari's 2004M cars with a driver that works for Bridgestone. The problem for me is that when Ferrari do all the extra testing it is not JUST tyre testing data that they gain..

[DKGandBH]

And borrow a Ferrari Driver and other staff...

This is essentially what they do when they pay Ferrari to test their tyres...

DKGandBH

[Gt_R]

Quote : "Still stinks mind you."

Why? Just because Ferrari decide not to give in to Mclaren and co demands?

Chris Goodwin, commentator and test driver of Mclaren, noted that while Ferrari ran more track testing days than other teams, he said that all teams feature new parts (ie Mclaren's new front wing) which still require testing. Lesser test days simply meant that the efforts are redirected to other aspects (ie wind-tunnel, simulators).

It's simple. Ferrari invested in track-testing tools for their cars/parts. Mclaren invested in far superior simulators. Williams believed in having 2 wind-tunnels. For the teams to all choose their preferred path, then try to impose on screwing up Ferrari's is stinking stuff don't you think?

What would you say if a team like Mclaren builds 3 new windtunnel, and other teams decide to ban wind-tunnel testing or use standard aerodynamic parts from FIA? You think Mclaren would say "oh..for the better of the sports, i do"? You think any other teams would do just that?

Quote:"The FIA should make a rule on the amount of testing period, too bad if Ferrari do not like it. Bridgestone should do there own tyre testing IMO."

Indeed.. similarly, if FIA did not make a rule, too bad if the other 9 teams don't like it. They chose to bind themselves in an agreement (i can't bring myself to say "gentlemen agreement" there), and failed to pressure Ferrari into it.

I agree though that Bridgestone should do their own tyre testings, just like Michelin should too... and that both tyre manufactures are restricted in their testing mileage/days, seperate from that of team manufacturers.

Funny that the definition of "compromise" can only work if Ferrari gives in, or FIA gives in, but never that of the rebel teams... hmmm

[Dutton]

We all know they are innocent victims of the Malicious Plan of Persecution peddled by the FIA and the Evil Empire & Its Satanic Son.

I don't understand how you could see things any other way.

[Gt_R]

I'm sorry... i should have been wiser

[KevinS]

Few things I don't understand here...

Ferrari did not sign the agreement and never lied to anyone when they said they were going to test as much as they want, right?
BAR and Toyota DID sign the agreement, but have been testing with 3 or 4 cars while the agreement says 2 cars maximum. There are strong rumours that they have already passed the 30 days limit.

So why are people still whining about Ferrari AND ONLY Ferrari, who are not breaking any agreement they have signed?

[Kicking-back]

BAR and Toyota have not passed 30 days - and they've never had more than 2 cars on the track AT ONE TIME

[Tone]

They still broke the agreement as both teams had 4 cars at the track the agreement states 2 cars at and on track, that the reason McLaren were ****ed off with them..

[Tone]

Originally Posted by JeremySmith

Very simple....Use one of Ferrari's 2004M cars with a driver that works for Bridgestone. The problem for me is that when Ferrari do all the extra testing it is not JUST tyre testing data that they gain..

They are allowed to tho' so what would be the point in Bridgestone spending an absolute fortune on a test team?

[Marbot]

It should be noted that cars running V8 engines are not strictly F1 cars (at least not to this years regs which state that cars must have V10 engines) and may not be subject to the "Gentlemens agreement".

[Tone]

I am guessing that they would class them as F1 cars as Williams were running a V8 and a V10 whereas they would have run a V8 and two V10 powered cars considering their current form..