FIA force Ferrari & Red Bull to cancel alternative testing plans

The FIA have forced Ferrari and Red Bull to cancel their alternative testing plans for the final test at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya, with their plans apparently in breach of Article 22.4 of the Formula 1 Sporting Regulations. The two teams were set to begin the third and final pre-season test a day late, and finish on Monday instead of Sunday.

These plans, however, have been deemed in breach of Article 22.4 of the Formula Sporting Regulations, which stipulates that “No track testing may take place: a) Whilst a Championship Event is taking place, b) During the month of August and c) Between the start of the week preceding the first Event of the Championship and 31 December of the same year.”

A press release was issued by Ferrari, stating their further changes to their testing plans: “A further change of plan for the final test session prior to departure for Australia. Based on a new clarification of Article 22.4 of the Sporting Regulations, which was sent to the teams late yesterday evening, it is no longer possible to run on Monday 5 March: as a result, the test schedule for Scuderia Ferrari and the other teams that had originally decided to follow this option now reverts to that of the majority, running from Thursday 1 March to Sunday 4 March The order in which our drivers will be working remains unchanged: Felipe Massa will be at the wheel of the F2012 on Thursday and Saturday, with Fernando Alonso driving on Friday and Sunday.”

Red Bull, who were set to join Ferrari on the Monday, have also reverted to their original testing plans. They will run Mark Webber on the Thursday and Saturday, and reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel on the Friday and Sunday.