FIA Give Go-Ahead to Friday Test Session

A two-hour test session will take place on the Friday of each Grand Prix next season after "a sufficient number of teams" agreed to limit their other testing, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) said on Monday.

At least three teams had to agree by last Sunday to forego all but 10 days of other testing during the season for the Friday session, designed as a cost-saving measure, to be introduced.

The FIA statement did not name the teams involved, but Minardi and Jordan have expressed an interest and British American Racing were also thought to be considering applying.

Team sources indicated that Jaguar had not applied and Sauber released a statement on Monday saying they had rejected the deal.

"Although this was not an easy decision, there were no doubts about it in the end," said team principal Peter Sauber. "We're currently building an ultra-modern wind tunnel ... This is the only way for us to continually optimise the development of the car in the long term."

The teams will get the chance to practise on race Fridays for two hours with up to three cars each.

Those rejecting the deal will be allowed to test as often as they wish during the season but will be unable to take part in the Friday test session before practice.