Boullier calls Silverstone test decision nonsense

Boullier says holding Formula 1's young driver test at Silverstone in July is nonsense

Lotus team principal Eric Boullier has slammed plans to hold Formula 1's young driver test at Silverstone in July as 'nonsense' - and hopes bad weather forces it to be cancelled.

As AUTOSPORT revealed, F1's young driver test is being split into two venues this year, with 10 teams currently electing to run immediately after the British Grand Prix and only Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso opting to run in Abu Dhabi in November.

But Boullier is deeply critical of the Silverstone decision, which he thinks only makes sense from a cost perspective.

"It's a bit disappointing, to be honest," Boullier told AUTOSPORT. "I am a supporter of young drivers, and for me Abu Dhabi [in November] was the perfect scenario.

"The young kids finish the season, and you can organise this test in a hot, nice place, with nice variety. So I was actually a bit cross with the decision to bring it earlier to Silverstone.

"We had a strong discussion, let's say, and definitely I was against this, especially for the reasons raised. For me it is absolutely a nonsense to have a young driver test in July when all the young kids are in the middle of the season and focused on racing and the championship. We cannot disturb this. It is completely the wrong timing.

"You also have another issue: bringing this test in the middle of the season you have to consider there will be a different point of view for the team; and as a team it's another opportunity to develop the car and bring some parts to test."

Despite his criticisms of the Silverstone plan, Boullier says he had no choice but to sign his outfit up for it rather than Abu Dhabi because of cost and staffing reasons.

"Between choosing to go to Abu Dhabi for young drivers, which is very important for me, and Silverstone, I obviously have to choose what it best for the team and that is Silverstone.

"But actually I would like it to rain, so we will go back to the original schedule - which for me is the normal one."

Under the testing agreement that teams had signed up to, outfits can withdraw from Silverstone and switch to the Abu Dhabi test if there is a threat of it being disturbed by poor weather.

However, a team will be forced to commit to Silverstone if its car leaves the pitlane at the three-day test.

Hes got no idea about running an F1 team. Hes approaching a Ross Brawn level of incompetence

Edited by icewest07, 07 May 2012 - 09:58.

Is it just me or is Boullier talking a lot of BS these days?First he criticizes the Mugello test yet goes there.But that is understandable.But now he slams the silverstone test even though he has the option of going to abudhabi.But lotus WILL test in silverstone.But then he wants the tests to wash out so they go to abudhabi afterall?Was he sober when he said this?Or is his problem with all the other teams testing in silverstone.

Um You mean the same Ross Brawn that won 5WDC and 6 WCC in a row in the early 00's then another one with his own team 3 years ago..? Oh, wait that makes it 6WDC & 7WCC in one decade! Yeah sure "incompetence" is the right word there...

Is it just me or is Boullier talking a lot of BS these days?First he criticizes the Mugello test yet goes there.But that is understandable.But now he slams the silverstone test even though he has the option of going to abudhabi.But lotus WILL test in silverstone.But then he wants the tests to wash out so they go to abudhabi afterall?Was he sober when he said this?Or is his problem with all the other teams testing in silverstone.

Edited by finignig, 07 May 2012 - 10:07.

Edited by TheWilliamzer, 07 May 2012 - 10:36.

Edited by Risil, 07 May 2012 - 10:54.

Is it just me or is Boullier talking a lot of BS these days?

Edited by Sakae, 07 May 2012 - 12:01.

I think it's just you. The man has a reason. Focus, and try to think. His intelect is high, and it's not easy, but try nonetheless.

Thankyou.I thought about it and I am a much better person now.

His reasoning is that it makes sense only in terms of the cost.That seems like they are not very confident about keeping up with development (as shown by his statement that Mugello was a great benefit to Ferrari).So this whole cost reasoning seems BS to me.

yep, that seems reasonable to presume that... but you would get the same thing with 3rd drivers in free practise sessions too..

Edited by One, 07 May 2012 - 12:42.

The basic point that the time of the silverstone makes it very "interesting" to use the test for car development and not to test young drivers is very valid. When some teams will run the same drivers as in Mugello, it will be obvious.

If he feels that strongly about it then test in Abu Dhabi like the Red Bull teams. He claims it only makes sense in terms of costs...... well, isn't that what the teams have been telling us is the prime concern of F1 these days? And if costs are an issue is it really that different to Abu Dhabi where the team will have all their equipment there for the GP?

Is it just me or is Boullier talking a lot of BS these days?First he criticizes the Mugello test yet goes there.But that is understandable.But now he slams the silverstone test even though he has the option of going to abudhabi.But lotus WILL test in silverstone.But then he wants the tests to wash out so they go to abudhabi afterall?Was he sober when he said this?Or is his problem with all the other teams testing in silverstone.

he's saying people will be tempted to use the young driver test to just run their regular test drivers (remember the rules for "young driver" are pretty lax) and just evaluate new parts for the car instead of using the test for what it is meant to be, ie evaluating new talent. In that respect he has a point. And in that respect he'd be dumb not to attend and "abuse" the test, same as the other teams.

So they'd run the drivers they want rather than the drivers who pay?

Edited by engel, 07 May 2012 - 13:18.

he's saying people will be tempted to use the young driver test to just run their regular test drivers (remember the rules for "young driver" are pretty lax) and just evaluate new parts for the car instead of using the test for what it is meant to be, ie evaluating new talent. In that respect he has a point. And in that respect he'd be dumb not to attend and "abuse" the test, same as the other teams.

Edited by One, 07 May 2012 - 13:53.

Edited by fabr68, 07 May 2012 - 14:12.

Edited by radosav, 07 May 2012 - 14:37.

Edited by Seanspeed, 08 May 2012 - 04:27.

In season test sessions dont assist those teams with a performance advanage as much as those with issues to resolve.
I think this is the core of his concerns as they have a great package this year and dont want this advantage lost during the season.
He probably saw the upswing in Ferrari's performance at Mugello and would like to avoid this happening again at another in season test this year.

If Boullier has such a big problem with it he can test when Red Bull does.

His argument about interrupting the jobs of the drivers in the junior formulae in my opinion is hogwash. If a decent F1 team is going to give any young driver a period of time to test their car hell yes they will make the time. F1 teams aren't begging for drivers. Drivers and/or their managers are clamoring at every f1 team principal's door. Including surprisingly HRT and Marrussia!.

His argument about development ?? That's his problem. NO ONE is stopping him from taking the same approach. There are no saints in F1. You take your opportunities and you max them out. If he doesn't want to develop the car during this test then someone give him the saints award and send him home.

The whole irony of his argument is that in the interest of his own team they are showing up. Well no ****.. that's what you were hired to do dumbo .. look out for your own team. I'm sure they will be trying to scrape a few tenths off the laptime as the rest of the teams during the session.

Horner attacked benefits of testing at Mugello, than he says nothing about Silverstone, yet no one questions his motives and position. A lot of people in here, Autosport included, seems to be attacking messenger, Boullier, rather than a message, and that's not right by any stretch of imagination.

They run parts at the young driver test when it's at the end of the season too. Which is far more valuable than seeing how fast a guy can go, that they don't have much intention of using.

The young driver test is an income source for a lot of the teams. End of.

I don't understand your line of thinking at all. Take a chill pill? Stop sticking needles into your Boullier voodoo doll for a minute?

For his team he is always obliged to do the best he can, and under the current rules he has to go to Silverstone and do development work. He reckons this. He also remarks that for the sport and for the drivers it'd be better if the rules were different. That's entirely correct, he explicitly separates both parts' interests and talks about it, what's wrong with that?

Of course drivers will take every opportunity they can, desperately so. Doesn't invalidate that a post-season test would be more value for them than a mid-season test. Mid-season it'll be all about testing the parts as much as possible and improving the car, late season it'll be almost exclusively about driver training and evaluating. The later is far more useful if you're having your first or second go at a F1 car.

I am not sure why people do not take time to read all reasons Eric enumerated, as (a) cost was one, (b) potential cheating as related to development, instead drivers, © disruptive timing for driver-candidate, who is busy with his regular job. One can disagree with him, but in essence his comments are substantive and worth the time to debate.

First off im quite chilled .. so you can take your own advice since your so hot and bothered about my comments.

Second, who died and appointed Boullier the grand caretaker and speaker for the drivers in the lower classes? If he wants to speak on behalf of the Dams drivers then thats certainly his jurisdiction to do so but i would be right pissed if someone is speaking on my behalf when i didnt ask them to. Especially on matters like this. His comments are clearly out of turn in respect to speaking for the other drivers.

It can also be argued that this Silverstone test is one of the best times for a young driver to learn how to deal with mid season development and how to assess parts/upgrades and such rather than at the end of the season. This is still an assessment by the teams after all and the drivers will learn how to provide the feedback the team needs so they actually have some development work under their belts come time for them to move up the formulae.

Edited by iotar, 17 May 2012 - 07:59.

Apparently cost of a F1 engine is about 0.5 mil

Toro Rosso not going to Silverstone because of finnancial issues: http://planetf1.com/...ilverstone-test