Frank Williams says “No test drive for you!”

It seems not everyone is jumping for joy at Michael Schumacher’s return to Formula One.

The current ban on in season testing means that Schumacher is yet to take the wheel of the 2009 F60 machine. Ferrari were seeking approval to have that ban relaxed for a single day of testing to allow Michael to get familiar with the car.

Sir Frank Williams, meanwhile, was having none of that. Indeed, as recently as the last Grand Prix new Toro Rosso driver Jaime Alguersuari was not given an opportunity for a pre-race test drive prior making his debut at the Friday test session on race weekend. On that basis Williams voted against any moves to allow Schumacher freedoms that have already been denied to other drivers this season. Then there is also the fact that Ferrari could have chosen one of their test drivers who have pre-season testing miles behind them already.

“In a similar situation, Williams would unhesitatingly use its current test driver,” Sir Frank said. “For the sake of consistency and fairness, therefore, we oppose Ferrari’s proposal to test ahead of the European Grand Prix.”

Felipe Massa’s recovery is going well and he hopes to be back on track as soon as possible. You can catch a brief interview with Massa on the BBC website.

[Source: TimesOnline]