Jerez vows to make safety changes

The Spanish track was recently singled out as one of the key concerns of the GPDA, with the circuit's medical centre coming in for criticism because its technology and upkeep had fallen behind other venues.

With the track having previously been reluctant to revamp its facilities because of the costs involved, sources claimed that the GPDA were losing patience with the Jerez bosses and were ready to go public with their feelings.

But after making another plea with Jerez to make the improvements, the track has now agreed to upgrade its facilities in time for the resumption of winter testing in December.

The track's media boss Raul Zarzuela told autosport.com: "The request was made by the GPDA, especially on the facilities in the medical centre. And we will try to be ready for testing in December.

"The machinery is functioning, but it is rather old and we will require some slightly more modern equipment."

The GPDA have been pushing hard in recent months to try and improve safety at testing venues, amid fears that it no longer matches the high quality that is now standard at Grands Prix events.

A deal was reached between the drivers and teams to fund the improvements, which has resulted in tracks now being able to fund extra medical intervention crews.

Ralf Schumacher, director and chairman of the GPDA, recently admitted that Jerez's facilities was one of the areas that was of big concern to the drivers' body.

"The safety level at tests is below where it should be and we do more laps testing than we do racing so that's something that needs doing," he said. "We hope they can get it done for December."