Williams Plan to Stick to All-Year Testing

BMW motorsport director Gerhard Berger says only the small teams will join the new program that will allow them to test for two hours during Grand Prix weekends next season.

Formula One's ruling body, the FIA, announced after their October 28 meeting a new rule by which the teams will be allowed to test on Fridays from 09.00 to 11.00 prior to each Grand Prix of the season, always provided that by December 15 they agree not to run more than ten days of private testing between March and November.

Minardi boss Paul Stoddart already revealed his intention of accepting the deal, while Eddie Jordan said he would consider the option very carefully. Berger, however, suggested that the big teams like Williams will continue to test without limits throughout the year, using the 150 days available to them.

"The top teams continue using all possibilities," Berger told BMW Motorsports' website. "Only the small, low budget teams prefer the Friday tests â€" but they only take place if there are more than three teams to participate."

Williams are one of the teams who carried out more testing during 2001, and Berger revealed that the new P83 engine is well ahead of schedule, while the Grove-based squad will take a more radical approach for their new car.

"This year, we are two months earlier than at this time last year," he said. "We have already tested the engine several times. When it comes to the chassis, Williams is a lot more aggressive now: no improvements on the 2002 car, but a completely new approach."