Testing agreement close to collapse

There had been hopes that a repeat of the 30-day agreement that was approved by nine teams last year would be put in place for 2006, but it is understood that it is now doubtful this deal will go ahead.

Sources claim that some teams will not commit to the accord unless Ferrari do so, although the Italian outfit are standing firm in their belief that the best way to reduce costs is to limit mileage rather than days.  

A limit of days would severely hamper the team's use of their Fiorano facility.

A Ferrari spokesman told autosport.com that they were still willing to discuss the teams reaching an agreement, but it would not be for a day limit.

"We would be keen to find an agreement, but we believe that a kilometre limit is a more efficient way of reducing costs," he said. "We've invested heavily in Fiorano for 30 years and that should not be wasted."

This week's Autosport reports that a document was circulated between teams recently stipulating that the 30-day two-car limit that was adopted last year should be repeated this season, but some team bosses are now resigned to the fact it will not get approved.

Toyota motorsport president John Howett told Autosport: "It looks as if agreement was needed from all 10 teams - and Super Aguri if they start the season - if the agreement was to go ahead.

"Unfortunately, that unanimity has not been forthcoming. Ferrari do not want to be party to that agreement so it looks as if we are all going to do our own thing."

News of the problems with the testing accord comes on the back of Ferrari, Honda Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso confirming to autosport.com that they will accept an invite from the Bahrain organisers to attend a test there in the middle of February.

The Bahrain test has highlighted the fact that teams no longer feel restricted in sticking to the terms of previous agreements, which included a ban on tests outside of Europe to keep costs down.

Ferrari, who operated outside the nine other teams' restrictions last year and tested at Bahrain in the winter, will test there from February 13, while Toro Rosso and Honda have now also confirmed that they will test from February 13-16.

All the other teams on the grid were consulted on whether they wanted to join the Bahrain test but have so far decided against it either for logistical or cost reasons.

Although a free-for-all in testing would likely lead to testing costs increasing dramatically for some teams, Honda Racing boss Nick Fry has told Autosport that he is hopeful that most teams will still be able to keep a lid on expenses.

"The irony of the situation is that most teams have improved their testing efficiency so much that even with no agreement it's unlikely that we would do appreciably more than 30 days," he explained.