10/03/2006
NEWS STORY
Speaking at today's press conference in Bahrain, Jean Todt admitted that Ferrari has joined its ten rival teams in agreeing a limit for testing during the 2006 season.
In 2005, while its rivals limited their testing to 30-days during the F1 season, Ferrari ran for a total of 65 days, sometimes testing at two circuits simultaneously.
The Italian team, which had already fallen out with its rivals following its shock decision to quit the (then) GPWC and join up with Bernie Ecclestone, argued that testing should be measured in miles covered not days.
In 2006, however, there will be no such arguments, with all 11 teams agreeing to limit testing to a total of 36 days - which runs from the start of the 2006 season until the Brazil Grand Prix in October.
In addition, teams are able to nominate a 'home' circuit, in their own country, where they can test for a full day but will only count as half a day with regards the season tally.
It's believed that some teams would have liked to reduce the limit still further, but have opted for the 36-day limit merely to have Ferrari on board.