[Alzilla]

From Planet F1:



Formula One teams will be afforded more track time to fine-tune their new challengers for the 2011 season after it was confirmed that the pre-season tests will be increased next year.

There were only four winter testing sessions - two at Jerez and one each at Barcelona and Valencia - this year and with in-season testing banned, teams felt they didn't have enough mileage under their belts for the new season.

However, McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh has revealed that teams have opted to add two more testing sessions to the 2011 calendar.

"We've agreed there will be six tests during the winter and probably the last one will be in Bahrain but it hasn't been quite agreed yet," Whitmarsh, who acts as chairman of the Formula One Teams' Association, is quoted by Reuters.

"We want to make sure that it's cost effective for the small teams."

There have been requests for in-season testing to return, but Whitmarsh says it is unlikely to happen.

"I personally would like to see more testing but I am respectful of the fact that there are teams still hurting," said Whitmarsh.

"We've now got at least six tests in the winter so that's a step further forward. What we haven't got at the moment is agreement to test during the season.

"I'd like to see a couple of tests but we've made some progress. To have six tests in the winter is more than we've had in recent years."