Williams to rethink need for test team

UPDATE (GMM) Williams is preparing to scrap its formula one test team, according to reports.

The Dutch portal f1today.nl quoted an unnamed mechanic, based at the British team's Grove headquarters, as saying the test team is expected to be wound up.

The news is almost certainly a reaction to F1's radical cost cutting reforms, including the total banning of in-season circuit testing from 2009.

The Williams test mechanic said: "We are open to (getting jobs with) all the other formula one teams and also to other categories in Europe."

He said the news is "not official yet" but "only a matter of time".

It is reported that, beginning next month, Williams' formula one test activities will instead be handled by members of the race team.

12/15/08 It appears that the Williams F1 Team may be letting go their test team. Several mechanics of the test team declared to f1today.nl that they are already searching for a new job, and as of January the race team will take over the test sessions. However nothing has been made official yet and the team denies that the test team will be dismissed.