FIA confirm new driver testing rule

A new rule concerning tests for new drivers has been confirmed by the FIA, Formula One's governing body. The rule stipulates that a driver which is to substitute a race driver during the season will be allowed to test for one day 14 days prior or after the substitution is scheduled to take place, and at a circuit which is not on the normal race calendar.

The complete regulation reads:

"If a team declares that one of its current race drivers is to be substituted by a driver who has not participated in an F1 race in the two previous calendar years, one day of track testing will be permitted between the start of the week preceding second Event and the last Event of the Championship.

The following must be observed: Any such day may only be carried out by the new driver and may not take place on a circuit hosting a race in the current Championship year.

Any such day may only take place within a period 14 days prior to the substitution and 14 days after the substitution has taken place. If a team, having declared the driver's substitution and performed the test, does not then enter an Event with the new driver, the team will be penalised by a reduction of one day from the pre-season track testing days available in the following year."

This change will make sure that new or young drivers like STR's Jaime Alguersuari do not start racing with practically no F1 experience besides the allowed straight line aerodynamic testing.