F1: In-season testing set for comeback in 2014

Formula One is all set to welcome back in-season testing in 2014, following a majority vote by the teams, who ruled in favor of four tests during the course of the 2014 season.

In the past, opposition to the return of in-season testing was usually met from McLaren, but Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren’s principal said that they have agreed to the new plans in the hope of keeping a check on the costs.

“What we’ve also done is take out a plethora of straight-line runs, demo runs and the Young Driver Test with have grown on the edge of things. It’s a balance and I think a compromise that’s being struck and hopefully the majority of teams support it. But nonetheless we’ve got to continue to find ways we can save costs, particularly for the small teams.”

The Sporting Working Committee convened on 8^th June in Canada, to hold discussions regarding the proposal. This will in turn be forwarded to the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council who will sanction the proposal at their next meeting during the FIA Sport Conference Week, sometime between June 25 and 28.

The first pre-season test of the year is slated to take place in Jerez in January, to make room for the teams to get acclimatized to their all-new V6 turbo-powered cars. The in-season tests are likely to be a two day affair following European certain rounds, in an effort to minimize costs. On the other hand, while there will be fewer straight-line tests and filming days, the Young Driver Test will be completely taken off the calendar.

A Middle East venue is being contemplated for the second and third pre-season tests before the first race of the season commences in Bahrain.

Source: ESPN F1