Sauber Criticises Driver Restriction for Testing

Formula One boss Peter Sauber has criticised a new rule preventing teams like his from using experienced recent Grand Prix drivers for testing.

"I don't understand it, it's a joke," he said.

Under new rules, the bottom six ranked teams are allowed to run three cars on race Friday practice this year providing the drivers have competed in less than six Grands Prix over the past two seasons.

Sauber finished sixth last season and can therefore run three, although they have no plans to do so for financial reasons. The rule prevents drivers like Britons Allan McNish, Justin Wilson and Sauber's 2003 racer Nick Heidfeld from securing a test role.

None of them have race drives, although Germany's Heidfeld and McNish are still in the running for a seat at cash-strapped Jordan. Team bosses meet in London on Friday but Formula One sources have said there is little likelihood of them agreeing to change the rules since any decision must be unanimous.

Some big teams such as Williams and McLaren do not want to see smaller rivals benefiting from the extra input of experienced drivers.

"Maybe it's only one or two teams against it," said Sauber. "I think it's (McLaren's) Ron (Dennis) or Frank (Williams) or both. But normally you can speak with Ron and Frank."

Sauber have Swiss driver Neel Jani as their official tester for a second year but do not expect him to get much running in the car.

"He's not going to be a real test driver because we don't need a test driver," said Sauber. "We don't do a lot of testing and we will use our normal drivers to do the tests.

"We will have two cars only on Friday. Maybe we will change this decision but I don't know," he added.