Testing ban likely for 2001.

Although measures do not go as far as some wanted, there will be a reduction in grand prix testing next season.

The sport's governing body, as well as some team managers, held the opinion that only a reduction in the amount of pre-race running would revive the flagging Friday practice sessions at most grands prix and, although the re were calls for a complete ban during the season itself, it now looks likely that the amount of testing will be curbed for 2001.

It was proposed at Monza, at a second meeting between the teams and the FIA, that only selected circuits be used for testing during the year, with no running allowed at any venue in the four weeks prior to a race being held there. The August moratorium put forward by Eddie Jordan was also warmly welcomed but may not come into effect until 2002 at the earliest.

The testing ban is designed, primarily, to encourage action during the two Friday free practice sessions at each grand prix. On occasions, certain teams do not venture out at all until the second hour, waiting for the circuit to be cleaned by the lesser outfits who may not have been able to test the previous week, and saving tyres for the all-important Saturday and Sunday sessions.

Although the tyre issue has also been partly addressed with the agreed temporary supply of three extra sets, some teams are still concerned that, with a lot of work conducted on Friday, Saturday mornings will be quieter instead as teams seek to save new rubber for qualifying and the race. The extra Friday tyres will have to be returned to the stewards the same evening.

A total ban on testing at grands prix venues was rejected by the teams on safety grounds.