Buzzin F1 – Formula One Blog

Michael Schumachaer

As I mentioned in a previous blog, the Ferrari team were hoping to get a helping hand by getting the in-season testing ban lifted to allow Michael Schumacher, replacing the injured Felipe Massa,  to acquaint himself with the current F60 car, however, not all the teams are fully in support of the ban suspension.

The Williams team have confirmed that they are not happy about the rule being waived, with Frank Williams saying;

“While we welcome Michael Schumacher back to Formula One, the fact is that any form of in-season circuit testing is strictly prohibited; a regulation clearly laid out by the FIA and adhered to by all of the teams.

It was for this reason that (Jaime) Alguersuari, who drove an F1 car for the very first time in Hungary, did not have the opportunity to familiarise himself with the Toro Rosso before he made his race debut.  Williams F1 sees no distinction between Alguersuari’s situation and Schumacher’s and feels that any deviation from the rule would create a precedent for the future.

In a similar situation, Williams F1 would unhesitatingly use its current test driver.

For the sake of consistency and fairness, therefore, we oppose Ferrari’s proposal to test ahead of the European Grand Prix”.

Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso,  are also opposing lifting the ban, with team boss Christian Horner saying;

“I am sure that Michael Schumacher who is a seven times World Champion and has won 91 races won’t have a problem getting up to speed.

Also Michael has driven a two-year-old Ferrari last week in Mugello so I have no doubt that he will be on the pace quickly”.

Force India were another team not giving the green-light to allow Schumacher special privileges, although they have yet to give their decision formally.

The Ferrari team, need a unanimous agreement for the ban to be lifted, however, it would seem clear that this is not going to happen, but of course,  the team are not going to leave it at that and are now having their usual playground tantrums.  A spokeswoman for Schumacher, said on Blickpunkt Sport programme;

“From the beginning it was clear that in all probability there would not be a test with the new car.  However not all at Ferrari are singing from the same hymn sheet…

Guess who opposed the test with the F60? A team that hasn’t won anything for years and yet didn’t pass over the opportunity to demonstrate once more a lack of spirit of fair play.”  From an article posted on the official Ferrari site.

“Just for the record, the Scuderia Ferrari had given its approval to let (Toro Rosso’s Jaime) Alguersuari test, but it seems even in this instance someone decided to stick to the precise wording of the regulations.”

We are all fully aware of the reasons behind the testing ban for the in-season but I’m sure some agreement could be reached whereby drivers test after the race weekend has finished, no extra travelling costs involved and supporters could be charged a fraction of the price of a Grand Prix ticket to watch the event.