According to FOTA chairman Martin Whitmarsh, the teams have already met and discussed the testing schedule this weekend at Spa-Francorchamps. Unlike what was believed so far (that there will be 15 days of winter testing four of which in Bahrain before the first race of the 2011 season), there will actually be six full tests in between seasons, one of which in Bahrain, currently the best option in terms of testing conditions.
The main issue is the fact that bigger teams are asking for in-season testing. Currently, the sanctioning body only allows straight-line tests and demonstrations during a single non-race run. Another issue to be covered in the future testing is the one caused by Pirelli, who will supply the tires for the next season.
"Bahrain hasn't been quite agreed yet," Whitmarsh was quoted as saying by GMM. "We want to make sure that it's cost effective for the small teams."
"I personally would like to see more testing but I am respectful of the fact that there are teams still hurting.”
"We've now got at least six tests in the winter so that's a step further forward. What we haven't got at the moment is agreement to test during the season."
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