Testing ban doesn't stop F1 runners

Three weeks in August, the theory goes. Holiday from races. No testing allowed. Time to relax and refresh. Ah, but Formula One isn't the pinnacle of motorsport competition because of downtime.

Turns out a summer ban on testing doesn't preclude a "shakedown" of 50 kilometers (31 miles). Thus, F1 cars have been screaming their way around Kemble Airport in the west of England during the break. As reported in a local newspaper, the Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard, teams including Renault, McLaren and Force India have fired up to squeeze in a few more observations on performance.

They've fired up the locals, too. Complaints about the noise have been forwarded to airfield officials by environmental health officer Ron Brassington, the paper reported. The paper also reported a Cotswold resident paid $6,000 for his own speed camera in an effort to reduce motorist speeds on the A road through Bourton-on-the-water.

The circus resumes Aug. 24 with the European Grand Prix on a street course in Valencia, Spain.