Several Formula 1 team bosses have backed the idea of limiting winter testing to just six days in 2020.
Before the summer break, it was agreed that the sport would have a 22-race calendar next season with both Spain and Mexico signing new deals.
So to counteract the extra race weekend, it was suggested to knock the current two four-day tests in Barcelona down to two three-day sessions.
While the drivers were quick to criticise, Racing Point technical chief Andrew Green believes it could be exactly what F1 needs.
“I’m of the opinion that we probably do too much pre-season testing anyway,” he told Crash.net.
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“With all the dyno and simulators we have, the cars are pretty reliable, and the places where we can go to test pre-season don’t really represent the majority of tracks that we go to.
“If you really wanted to mix things up a bit, then I think reducing the amount of testing pre-season would help that. I think that’s a good idea.
“I think we can do a bit less. It’s a tough test anyway, it’s not a great way to start a season, especially with 22 races, to do two weeks pre-season.
“So if that was reduced slightly, it’ll reduce the burden on the people who have got to do it,” he concluded.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner made the case for less winter testing to add an additional engine to the pool for the race season.
“I think if we are to introduce a 22nd race, the majority of teams are taking penalties and using four engines anyway, so one would assume that it would make sense to increase the allocation on power units and components,” he said.
“Perhaps if we look at the ratio and say rather than using engines for going testing, if we reduce the in-season testing and pre-season testing slightly, that frees up an engine that the majority of teams are going to use anyway.
“From the next race there is going to be a whole raft of penalties coming through and we’re only just halfway through the season, so introducing another race on top of that and expecting teams to get through on three engines and three sets of components is a bit of a tall ask.”
Finally, Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto didn’t go into detail but agree it was something to consider and that less testing could be a “great idea”.
