Formula 1's mid-season test dropped for 2013
Formula 1 teams have abandoned the idea of a extra mid-season test in 2013, after agreeing plans for just three pre-season tests next year.
Technical chiefs learned that the three tests before the start of the 2012 campaign gave them enough mileage to be prepared for the first race, so teams have decided that there is no need for a fourth week of running as had happened previously.
With the opening race of the 2013 season pencilled in for March 17 in Australia, teams are ready to commit to beginning their on-track efforts with a four-day test that begins at Jerez in Spain on February 5.
Following that, there will be two further tests at Barcelona. The first will run from February 19-22, while the second will take place from February 28 to March 3.
Should the season opener take place any earlier than March 17, then the tests will have to be reshuffled.
This year, as well as the three pre-season tests, teams also had the opportunity for a mid-season test, which took place at Mugello after the first flyaway races.
However, as part of a cost-saving package agreed between the teams, it was decided that the expenditure needed for that event was too high considering the limited benefits it actually delivered, so the idea of a repeat has been dropped.
