Heavy race calendar prompts teams to push for less testing

Formula 1's current 21-race calendar and the prospects of increasing that schedule in the future may prompt teams to ask the FIA to consider a reduction of testing in 2019.

Teams currently launch their season with two four-day pre-season tests, conducted at Barcelona this year, followed by a couple of two-day in-season tests.

Barcelona was once again the venue for the first in-season test mid-May, while the Hungaroring will host the second two-day test at the end of July, just before F1 starts its summer break.

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The schedule appears as restricted on paper, but heavy logistics coupled with the constraints placed on staff and resources, especially during the eight days of pre-season testing, have compelled team managers to seek further relief.

The idea of limiting pre-season preparations to a single five-day period and reducing in-season testing to just one two-day session emerged at an informal meeting of team bosses recently.

The in-season test, likely to take place in May at Barcelona after the Spanish Grand Prix, would be allocated to reserve drivers per the FIA's requirements.

Pirelli's post-season tyre test scheduled at Abu Dhabi would remain on the calendar.

Team managers will likely submit their request to the governing body at Formula 1's next Strategy Group meeting that takes place next Wednesday before the British Grand Prix.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.