Williams supports test limitation

Williams' technical director Sam Michael has confirmed that the team would be in favour of a reduced testing schedule as F1 looks at ways to cut the costs of the sport

F1 has been discussing ways to reduce costs for some time now with a testing limit seen as one possible way to save money. Michael agrees with the move and says the team would ideally like to see a reduction of 50 per cent on the current schedule. But the Australian admits that the issue is not straightforward due to the current tyre war between Bridgestone and Michelin.

"We would definitely be happy with a reduction down to about 50 per cent during the year of what we have now," he said. "But it is quite a complicated issue, primarily being the tyres but then other people have obviously invested in test teams in certain areas and want to see a return on that.

"One of the hardest things when you are in the middle of a tyre competition is the amount of tyre development. Over 50 per cent of our testing mileage is testing tyres," he explained, "whether it is compounds or casings, so it is very difficult to see how we can have a reduction before we see some sort of scale back between the two tyre manufacturers.

"I think you are probably not going to make much progress talking about it now until we know exactly what these 2005 rules are, which are imminent," Michael added, "and then I think it should be tackled again by the team principals."