Formula One news

Super Aguri wants to keep third test driver

Earlier this year Formula 1 decided to change the rules for Friday's test drivers. In 2007 F1 teams can use two drivers, but when a team decides to run a reserve driver the race driver will have to remain in the pitbox with his car. Super Aguri team boss Audetto wants to see a change in these rules in order to run a third driver on Frida.

Super Aguri's Managing director Daniel Audetto told Reuters: "We are looking to the next Formula One commission meeting to ask the other teams to make it compulsory to have a test driver on Friday. Otherwise, with only two cars available, I will not give an advantage by running a test driver to other teams that will be using their regular drivers."

Friday's two free practice sessions will be 90 minutes each in 2007 with each team allowed to run only two cars in total. Audetto expects team to use their race drivers and thus skip the young drivers. "If you use a young test driver (on Friday), you will be less competitive for setting up the car and therefore the qualifying and the race.

"So either everybody uses a third driver on Friday and that must be compulsory -- that one of the regular drivers must not drive at least for one session of 90 minutes -- or I think very few teams will give a chance to a test driver on Friday. We have to wait and see if a test driver is important or not next year."

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