Ferrari makes own test cuts
Ferrari has now officially decided to reject the latest 30-day testing limit proposed by its rival teams, but the outfit's sporting director Jean Todt has confirmed that Maranello will make is own cutbacks this season
The Frenchman has so far refused to attend any of the meetings held between
team bosses since the Brazilian Grand Prix, having been not invited to a key meeting at Interlagos, and has been unimpressed about what has been agreed by his rivals.
But speaking earlier this weekend, and before it became clear that BAR now looks certain to not join the 30-day testing limit, Todt confirmed Ferrari has chosen its own proposal which will lead to it completing less testing in 2005.
"We have prepared a programme which is more efficient and which takes into consideration the agreement that existed among the teams," said Todt. "Just to give you some figures, we have organised tests in 2005 which will allow us to cut down about 15 people, which means a saving of about three million euros.
"So finally, the fact that we can go along our way is going to prove itself more efficient because the others can do what they want."
Although Ferrari appears completely isolated from the other teams, and has faced a raft of criticism for not joining in with the testing restriction, Todt is defiant about its stance and says he is far from concerned about what other people think of his team.
"Well, from certain points of view, Ferrari has always been a bit isolated but it's not a problem," he explained. "The important thing is to do what we have to do. We are also isolated geographically. We are in a small province of Modena and we try to do our job well. I can understand this."
Todt suggested that the root of much of the criticism from rival team bosses was envy of Ferrari's success.
"We have perhaps made the lives of others a bit too tough during these last few years and so clearly, when Ferrari was not competitive, this impression of isolation did not exist as it exists today," he said. "But everyone simply wants to beat us, and we want to beat the others. This is the game and I understand what this entails."
Previous article
Ferrari to Follow Own Testing Programme
Next article
BAR Searching for Elusive First Win with 007
How F1’s other champion to emerge from 1991 thrived at Lotus
Mika Hakkinen became Michael Schumacher’s biggest rival in Formula 1 in the late-90s and early 2000s, having also made his F1 debut in 1991. But as MARK GALLAGHER recalls, while Schumacher wowed the world with a car that was eminently capable, Hakkinen was fighting to make his mark with a famous team in terminal decline
The forgotten F1 comeback that began Jordan’s odyssey
Before Michael Schumacher – or anyone else – had driven the 191 (or 911 as it was initially called), Eddie Jordan turned to a fellow Irishman to test his new Formula 1 car. JOHN WATSON, a grand prix winner for Penske and McLaren, recalls his role in the birth of a legend…
The squandered potential of a 70s F1 underdog
A podium finisher in its first outing but then never again, the BRM P201 was a classic case of an opportunity squandered by disorganisation and complacency, says STUART CODLING
The other notable Monza escape that F1 should learn from
OPINION: The headlines were dominated by the Italian Grand Prix crash between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, who had the halo to thank for avoiding potentially serious injury. But two days earlier, Formula 1 had a lucky escape with a Monza pitlane incident that could also have had grave consequences
How Monza only added more questions to F1's sprint race conundrum
With two sprint races under its belt, Formula 1 must now consider its options for them going forward. While they've helped deliver exciting racing on Sundays, the sprints themselves have been somewhat lacking - creating yet another conundrum for F1 to solve...
Who should Alfa Romeo sign for 2022's F1 season?
OPINION: With Valtteri Bottas already signed up for 2022, all eyes are on the race for the second seat at Alfa Romeo next year. Antonio Giovinazzi is the current incumbent, but faces a tough competition from appealing short and long-term prospects
The "forced break" that was key to Ricciardo's Monza excellence
OPINION: Daniel Ricciardo has long been considered one of Formula 1’s elite drivers. But his struggles at McLaren since switching from Renault for 2021 have been painful to watch at times. Yet he’s recovered to banish those memories with a famous Monza win – built on a critically important foundation
How Verstappen is ruining his F1 title battle with Hamilton
OPINION: The Italian GP clash between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen followed a running theme in the 2021 Formula 1 title fight. Their close-quarters battles have often resulted in contact - and although Hamilton has shown a willingness to back off, Verstappen must learn to temper his aggression
