Formula One Teams Shut Down Factories for 2 Weeks

Of course this is no news for the Formula One fans, but it's worth mentioning that all Formula One teams will close the door of their factories for at least 2 weeks, following this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix. This will be the first time in years all activities will be seized at all plants, as F1 will enter its second 3-week summers break this season.

All teams agreed, at the end of last month, that they will not do any work on their 2009 programme through the duration of these 2 weeks, in an effort to further reduce costs inside the sport. Therefore, the teams will not only have a break from Formula One, but also keep their bank accounts untouched until the European Grand Prix, at Valencia.

The inactivity period will not begin as soon as the Hungaroring race will end, but on August 3rd, and will last until August 16th, 5 days before the official start of the Valencia based event. This will give all teams a chance to recover from the Hungarian GP while also a few days to begin preparations for the European Grand Prix.

Although Williams-Toyota and Force India-Mercedes are yet not part of the Formula One Teams Association, the two outfits also agreed with the teams' alliance on the proposed measure.

“All production, design and build will cease and, aside from security and maintenance, the factory will be shut,” confirmed Force India in a press release on Tuesday.