Stroll's private tests defended by Williams

  • Published on 07 Jul 2017 13:51
  • comments 5
  • By: Chris Soulsby

Williams has defended their decision to orgainse private tests for their driver, Lance Stroll. This follows criticism from Jacques Villeneuve after the 1997 World Champion called the driver's private test at the Circuit of the Americas in a 2014 Williams FW36 unfair. 

"It's not fair to the other drivers because he is the only one to have this privilege thanks to his money," said Villeneuve who used to race for Williams from 1996 - 1998 alongside Damon Hill and Heinz-Harald Frentzen before moving to British American Racing in 1999.

"We do not have detailed information about whether this private testing will continue," said Williams deputy team principal, Claire Williams, before being told that the team should be more open about Stroll's testing programme. "You mean we need to do these tests publicly and invite the fans? The purpose is just to familiarise with the track so there's nothing to see," she replied. 

When asked if any more testing was scheduled for the future, Stroll replied in Austria: "Actually I don't know, but I don't think so."

 

Chris Soulsby

Such a non-story. It is the job of an F1 team to take advantage of all oportunites they can to improve the performance as a whole. Do you think other drivers have never done private tests? Is it allowed within the rule book? Yes. So why is it unfair? Is it unfair that Mercedes can afford a new cl... [Read more]

  • 1
  • Jul 7 2017 - 14:28

Replies (5)

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  • Such a non-story. It is the job of an F1 team to take advantage of all oportunites they can to improve the performance as a whole. Do you think other drivers have never done private tests? Is it allowed within the rule book? Yes. So why is it unfair? Is it unfair that Mercedes can afford a new clutch at every race when Sauber probably only have 6 per car for the season? No. That's just how the world is.

    • + 1
    • Jul 7 2017 - 14:28
  • God, critics will latch onto anything

    • + 1
    • Jul 7 2017 - 15:45
  • I really cannot call this unfair. Tis but an extra practice session, not a bloody extra race with additional points or a handicap or something.

    • + 0
    • Jul 7 2017 - 17:33
  • f1dave

    Posts: 782

    Just Villeneuve seeking attention again.

    • + 0
    • Jul 7 2017 - 17:37
  • F1 must be the only sport in which the athletes are not allowed to practice. This should be encouraged!

    • + 1
    • Jul 7 2017 - 20:19

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