May 4 (GMM) F1 figures have mixed feelings after this week’s Mugello test.
Amid speculation the Ferrari owned circuit would like a spot on the race calendar, it emerged that the famous Maranello based team pushed hard for the Tuscan facility to host the first in-season test in many years.
“It’s very beautiful and the food is very good,” said Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, “but we are spending a lot of money and honestly we didn’t feel the need to come here.”
Indeed, the only circuits comparable to high speed Mugello on the F1 calendar are Monza, Spa and parts of Silverstone.
And testing at Barcelona prior to next weekend’s Spanish grand prix would have made infinitely more logistical sense.
Lotus team boss Eric Boullier said Mugello was “money spent needlessly”.
Of course, those in the Ferrari camp thought differently.
“I would do more tests during the season,” said Fernando Alonso. “One lap here is worth 100 at other places, without considering that one day here is worth a year’s work on the simulator”.
But Mark Webber said Mugello is too fast for a decent test circuit, but he was among those who enjoyed the layout.
And the Australian couldn’t understand McLaren’s opposition, which extended to both Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button giving up their running to test drivers.
“It was an absolute no-brainer for (Sebastian Vettel and I) to be here,” said the Red Bull driver.
“Mileage is so limited these days that it’s good for me to be in the car. Any chance we get to drive the car in the real world, we’ll do it,” added Webber.
