Teams look to boost young drivers' role

The strict testing limits imposed this year have resulted in teams mainly running their more established drivers at tests, leaving little opportunity for youngsters to gain experience of F1 machinery.

With teams also reluctant to give any running to non-race drivers on Fridays, there have been growing concerns about the impact that the new-for-2007 testing restrictions will have on the stars of tomorrow.

On the back of the latest discussions to frame the 2008 testing agreement, this week's Autosport reveals that serious thought is being given to forcing teams to run young drivers at specific tests.

Toyota's Pascal Vasselon said: "We should impose a few mid-season test days for young drivers. They would be additional days for teams that do not exploit the running to develop the car. Nothing has been officially proposed, but dedicated non-race driver test days would be a good idea, I think."

Renault director of engineering Pat Symonds added: "In the testing agreement, we have different categories ­ shakedown testing, circuit testing, aerodynamic testing. I wonder whether it's worthwhile adding in an extra couple of days on the proviso that you use a driver who has not previously driven in Formula One before."

Symonds is also pushing hard for teams to scrap the extra day of running that has been added to tests this year if rain causes disruption.

"We've agreed to get rid of it for next year, and I'm pushing people to get rid of it now," he said. "For the next two team tests, Silverstone and Spa, there's no fourth day available and after that we've got two Jerez tests and one Monza so I'm trying to get rid of the fourth days now."