Dec.16 (GMM) Rookie drivers called up to make a mid-season grand prix debut in 2010 will be allowed to test beforehand, the FIA has confirmed.
This year, the strict in-season testing ban was heavily criticised, because it meant Jaime Alguersuari was not able to drive an F1 car prior to replacing Toro Rosso's ousted Sebastien Bourdais.It emerged this week that, as in 2009, track testing will again be banned during the 2010 season.But the FIA has confirmed that if a newcomer, or a driver like Michael Schumacher who has been out of the sport for more than two years, wants to make a mid-season debut, he will be permitted "one day of track testing".The test would have to take place at a non-GP track, and if his debut is called off, "the team will be penalised by a reduction of one day from the pre-season track testing days available in the following year".Otherwise, the test restrictions have been tightened yet further, with the number of in-season aerodynamic test days reduced from 8 to 6 in 2010."Any of these days may be substituted for four hours of full scale wind tunnel testing to be carried out in a single twenty four hour period," said the FIA.Also confirmed by the governing body is that all teams will have garage space allocated "on a strictly equal basis" in 2010, after years of bestowing better conditions to the more successful teams.Another new measure in 2010 is that the monocoque, basic roll structures and wheels must be "homologated" and therefore unchanged for the entire season, except for safety or reliability reasons.
