F1 teams sign new testing agreement

Although the deal, which is based around the basic premise of a 36-day limit, was verbally agreed several weeks ago, it is understood that the final signature on the agreement was only put to paper last night.

All of F1's teams have confirmed to autosport.com that they have signed the document, meaning that there will not be a situation like last year where Ferrari operated to their own schedule because they did not agree with the 30-day limit agreed by their rivals.

The new agreement limits teams to a maximum of 36 days during the season, but they are able to nominate a circuit in their home country that has special dispensation.

A team will be able to test for a full day at their nominated track, but this will only count for half a day out of the allocation. This in theory means that Ferrari would be able to test for 72 days at Fiorano if they chose.

Although some team bosses have suggested that the 36-day limit does not go far enough in reducing testing, McLaren boss Ron Dennis said on Thursday that the deal was important in terms of bringing clarity.

"The testing agreement creates definition, but meaning what we have agreed to do and when, but as regards to the level of cost saving I would have liked to have seen, it has not really achieved that," Dennis said.

"But it is much better to have it that not have.

"It at least eliminates high cost testing, which was already creeping into the equation - i.e. intercontinental testing."

The testing deal also includes a summer testing ban and prevents teams from testing at Grand Prix venues before the races.