Testing controversy continues

The stalemate between Ferrari and the nine other teams over limiting in-season testing continued in Malaysia, with the teams issuing a statement that once again called on Ferrari to fall in line. The Scuderia is still adamant that it will not agree to the proposal to cut testing to 30 days and believes the limit should be a mileage rather than a time-span.

However, the teams are equally stubborn. "Ferrari's actions not only potentially destabilise Formula One and increase costs, but also provide Ferrari with an unequal advantage over all the other teams," said the statement issued by Minardi.

"Inevitably, such action on the part of Ferrari can only increase costs within Formula One and undermine the principle of a level playing field in the sport. The nine teams are requesting that Ferrari now reconsiders its position and acts in a responsible manner to support this valuable cost-saving initiative."

In reply, managing director Jean Todt said Ferrari was the only team that contributed to Bridgestone's development (Jordan and Minardi are the only two other teams supplied by the Japanese manufacturer) and the statistics show that Bridgestone runners only did a quarter of the mileage that Michelin squads have done so far this year.

"This situation can hardly be seen as advantageous to us," he remarked. "When the previous testing agreement was coming to an end, we tried to find a new compromise, which took the reality of the current situation into account. Unfortunately this did not prove possible and therefore we felt that no testing guidelines were in place anymore and we intend to continue on that premise."

Todt claimed that Ferrari's test schedule would cut costs: "We wish to put on record that the test programme currently underway, without artificial limitation and more efficient in terms of its use of manpower and resources, will lead to a reduction in our costs currently estimated to be of the order of over two million Euro."

Technical director Ross Brawn said Ferrari would be at a disadvantage if it cut testing as Jordan and Minardi barely contribute to Bridgestone's development. "We couldn't allow ourselves to be disadvantaged by being the only runner on Bridgestone tyres, because -- with all due respect -- we get no help from Jordan or Minardi so it was impossible to find a compromise between the teams," he commented.

Reportedly the teams are also unhappy that Ferrari is flouting the agreement not to test in the week before a Grand Prix. Luca Badoer has been on the test track at Fiorano and Mugello over the last few days to work on the development of the F2005.