Friday testing voted in by teams

At least three teams had to choose the option, which limits them to just 10 days of testing away from events during the season, for it to be rubber-stamped.

Although the frontrunning teams indicated that they would stick with unlimited testing throughout the season, smaller teams were attracted to the choice. They gain more track time over GP weekends, while in theory saving money over the course of a season.

A short statement from the FIA read: "Following the receipt of a sufficient number of team applications, a two hour test session will be run on the Friday of each event in the 2003 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.

"Teams taking advantage of the new two hour session will limit their other testing to 10 days during the F1 season (March-October 2003).

The teams which have taken up the option were not named. Sauber, which was one of the teams thought to be in favour of the idea, released a statement earlier today to make it clear it had not chosen the Friday option.