Williams says no to Schumacher test
Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport made the claim on Monday, after Ferrari asked its nine team rivals and the FIA if a one-off exemption to the in-season test ban might be granted in the special case of Schumacher returning to replace the injured Felipe Massa.
FOTA vice-chairman and Toyota president John Howett reacted by saying he believed all eight FOTA members had agreed, but the answer of the other stakeholders was not known.
La Gazzetta said Williams issued a categorical 'no', while Force India was still contemplating the issue. Full unanimity is required for such requests.
Williams compared the Schumacher situation to last month in Hungary, when the 19-year-old Jaime Alguersuari made his grand prix debut for Toro Rosso having never driven a formula one car on a proper circuit.
"Williams sees no distinction between Alguersuari's situation and Schumacher's and feels any deviation from the rule would create a precedent for the future," the Grove based team told the media on Monday.
"For the sake of consistency and fairness, therefore, we oppose Ferrari's proposal to test ahead of the European grand prix," Williams added.
08/03/09 (GMM) Williams has used its veto power to block Michael Schumacher's test in the 2009 Ferrari, the Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport claims.
In view of Felipe Massa's accident and the return of Schumacher as his substitute, Ferrari asked the FIA and its nine team rivals if a one-off exemption to the in-season test ban might be granted.
FOTA vice-chairman and Toyota president John Howett reacted by saying he believed all eight FOTA members had agreed, but the answer of the other stakeholders was not known.
Italy's La Gazzetta however reports that while Force India is still contemplating the matter, Williams issued a categorical 'no'. Full unanimity is required for such requests.
The German newspaper Bild Zeitung said Schumacher, 40, still wants to test some time this week, but may have to do it now at the wheel of a privately-owned F2007.
Schumacher did nearly 70 laps in the two-year old car at Mugello last Friday.
More time in Fiat's Turin simulator is also off the agenda for Schumacher: a Ferrari spokesman said operating the machinery would be contrary to the F1 factory closures.