Theissen welcomes new Friday format

Numerous rule changes will ensure that there will be more track action on th GP Fridays in 2007. According to th BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen this definitely represents a step in the right direction.

Once again, the engine of every Formula One car will have to survive two Grand Prix weekends in 2007. However, a rule change will make the BMW Saubr F1 Team's preparation work for the races much easier. In the future, the two free practice sessions held on Friday are regarded as tests and therefore do not have to be contested with the engines used for the race.

Therefore, the teams are no longer forced to go easy on their engines in the sessions, which now last 90 minutes (10:00 to 11:30hrs and 14:00 to 15:30hrs), and have the chance to fully focus on set-up work and tyre evaluation. For the two Friday sessions, every team will be provided with a total of eight sets of tyres for its two cars, four of the harder and four of the softer compounds.

"I think that's a major step forward," says Theissesn. "I always supported the plan to turn the Friday into a day of extensive testing. This way, the spectators are provided with more on-track action, we're doing something for the sponsors and promotors - and for the teams it's better to test on the track where they will contest a Grand Prix two days later."