Williams to Spend 'Within Reason' During Test Ban

Frank Williams, boss of the Williams Grand Prix team, is planning a major testing operation at the start of 2002 in preparation for a Championship challenge, but the Briton admitted the expenses will be "within reason."

Williams believes that the FIA's decision to introduce a testing ban from the end of this season until New Year's day has failed to save the team's money and says both he and his competitors will have to spend as much, if not more, than normal in preparation for 2002.

"I can tell you nearly every team here is having to put a major operation together because of the three months testing ban," said Williams. "I think a number of teams now believe it was a mistake."

All the teams will have to run computer simulation packages during the banned period to ensure their new designs have the best chance of success. And Williams believes that he is happy to spend "within reason" to have two or maybe even three test teams in place for the three months before the start of the 2002 season.

"When some engineers say to their bosses 'if you're serious, money is no object,' then my reply is even the commander in chief of the Chinese military will complain to his political masters that six million men in his army isn't enough."