Mid-season testing looks set to return to Formula 1 for the 2014 season.
During the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, teams voted on a return to in-season tests at a meeting, with the decision expected to be finalised by the FIA in the coming weeks.
Current regulations forbid any mid-season tests with a 2013 specification car, with only a number of opportunities in which to test parts. These include two young driver tests after the British and Abu Dhabi grands prix, eight days of ‘promotional’ days on non-racing tyres (which a representative from other teams may attend) and four days of aerodynamic or ‘straight-line’ tests.
With the new rules for 2014, the promotional days will be reduced to just two days and young driver/straight line tests being abolished in favour of the more liberating testing allowed for next year.
The tests will feature as two-day tests after the Spanish and British rounds of the championship, with a further two to be confirmed following either the Belgian, Italian or German race weekends.
It is thought that the way these tests are run will help give teams more freedom in the areas they require development, whilst also giving teams further towards the back of the grid an invaluable opportunity to progress further up.
The new proposal is also good news for testing, development and third drivers who will have more opportunity to drive throughout the season, rather than being limited to Friday practice sessions and pre-season tests.
The last time an in-season test was featured was in 2009 and was largely abolished due to cost. The way the test will work in 2014 should be much less expensive but does add additional strain to already busy pit crews and team personnel.
It will come as no surprise that the timing of the agreement has come about largely as a result of the furore surrounding Mercedes’ alleged illegal tyre test conducted after this year’s Spanish Grand Prix, with the fallout of the allegations being decided at an international tribunal on the 20th of this month.
