Friday Testing Option Hangs in the Balance

Plans to introduce a new practice format for Grand Prix Fridays in 2003 remain uncertain ahead of a deadline for Formula One teams to sign up.

For the option to be introduced, three of the 10 teams must agree by Sunday to undertake no more than 10 days of private testing during the season. In exchange they will get the chance to practice on race Fridays for two hours with up to three cars each.

Those that reject the deal will be allowed to test as often as they wish during the season but will be unable to take part in Friday practice before single lap qualifying. So far, only two have indicated they will sign up.

Minardi, the smallest team on the grid, have said they want the Friday option and would give local drivers a chance to test as a way of increasing spectator interest and raising extra funds.

"It would be a straight commercial business. We need money and it's a good way of earning it," said team boss Paul Stoddart.

Jordan, struggling to balance the books after losing their title sponsor, are also interested.

"We believe there is a bigger advantage in doing the Fridays at grand prix, with 10 other test days," said team boss Eddie Jordan in the official Jordan magazine. "The third car will help bring on young drivers, by giving them the chance to test in F1 at circuits that they wouldn't be able to learn otherwise.

"We have a severe financial climate at the moment, in which we are all suffering. No one is immune. We all know there is a downturn and we have to protect our businesses in a prudent way.

"Limiting testing during the season lets us race competitively at less cost with no loss of show for the punters."

The big well-financed teams have expressed little interest in reducing testing, leaving the likes of Sauber, Jaguar and British American Racing (BAR) to decide.

A Sauber spokeswoman said on Thursday that no decision had been taken yet by the Swiss-based team that tested for 60-80 days last season.

Jaguar, who have cut staff in a major restructuring, have not said anything publicly but sources suggested the team were likely to keep testing since they had a new engine and the least experienced driver lineup.

Honda officials, whose engines power BAR, have said they would prefer to have testing feedback throughout the season although the team has yet to state its position.