04/08/2009
NEWS STORY
Red Bull, despite being a fellow member of FOTA, has joined Williams in vetoing Ferrari's request that Michael Schumacher be allowed to test this year's Ferrari ahead of his return to F1 at Valencia later this month.
"Jamie Alguersuari had never sat in a Formula One car before his first race in Hungry," said Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, according to Reuters. "I am sure that Michael Schumacher who is a seven times world champion and has won 91 races won't have a problem getting up to speed."
"Also Michael has driven a two-year-old Ferrari last week in Mugello," he added, "so I have no doubt that he will be on the pace quickly."
Horner's comments follow an equally firm statement from Williams, which also cited the example of 19-year-old Jaime Alguersuari who made his F1 debut for Toro Rosso in Hungary. Before the Friday practice session at the Hungaroring he had virtually no experience of an F1 car.
"While we welcome Michael Schumacher back to Formula One, the fact is that any form of in-season circuit testing is strictly prohibited, a regulation clearly laid out by the FIA and adhered to by all of the teams," said Williams. "It was for this reason that Alguersuari, who drove an F1 car for the very first time in Hungary, did not have the opportunity to familiarise himself with the Toro Rosso before he made his race debut."
Meanwhile, reports that the FIA has given its approval to Schumacher testing the F60 providing it is fitted with a Cosworth engine are thought to be no more than a mischievous rumour.