General
Williams misses out on testing: "We just didn't have the resources for it"
- GPblog.com
The Tuesday and Wednesday after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the last race of the season, Formula One teams will test. On Tuesday the rookies get the chance to gain F1-experience, on Wednesday the new 18 inch Pirelli tyres will be tested. For Williams it looks like they will have to miss this test.
No funds for test car
It looks like Williams will miss the test day with the new Pirelli tyres. This is because the team does not have a dedicated test car. "My understanding is that if you don't have a test car, you're not allowed to do the test," Williams engineer Dave Robson told FormulaRapida.net. "We know that driving a test car would have been beneficial, but unfortunately we just didn't have the resources for it this season."
The decision not to take a test car for this season was made a long time ago. However, Robson is not worried that the team will lose a whole lot by missing the test day in Abu Dhabi. "We'll probably start the winter test a little bit behind, but I hope that if the car runs well we can catch up in the test. Of course we would have liked to have participated in the test day, but we won't be that far behind."
No driver designated
Whether Williams will be in action on the first day of testing also remains to be seen. The team has not yet selected a driver for the rookie test. Then the teams can drive with the current cars. "Unfortunately, we won't be doing anything [for now]," Robson replied. Williams will prefer to use new driver Alexander Albon, but the Thai is no longer a rookie. Other options would be Roy Nissany, Jamie Chadwick and Logan Sargeant.