Gene Unhappy with High Workload

Williams test driver Marc Gene believes the workload teams will be faced with when they begin testing next week is too high.

The break was introduced in a bid to cut costs, but it has since been criticised because the leading teams have made use of advanced simulation packages to develop cars over the winter. But there is still a lot of on-track data to be collected, and Gene says that there is too much to do in such a short time before the opening race at Melbourne's Albert Park track on March 3.

"The test schedule is heavy," said Gene. "I don't think the testing ban is good for the sport at all. Now, in January and February before Australia, we have just one and a half months to get everything right.

"The testing team has gone from two to three cars and some of the test team mechanics will have to go to Barcelona in the first week of January and will not go home until the first Grand Prix starts. That is not good."

But the demands for success from sponsors and teams have ensured drivers, engineers and mechanics will have a busy time in the build up to the Australian Grand Prix.