New rules attacked: Motor racing

McLaren's managing director, Ron Dennis, yesterday criticised Formula One's latest rule changes which limits testing for the teams.

"I don't think any team can get the amount of testing it wants to now. I can understand the philosophy behind the changes, but I am a little free-market orientated and testing, although expensive, is the cheapest way of developing a racing car," Dennis said at McLaren's headquarters in Woking, Surrey.

Dennis, who was speaking at the unveiling of the new Mercedes Benz-powered car, was also critical of the latest situation relating to the new Concorde Agreement between the teams and the ruling body, the International Motoring Federation. He admitted he was still unhappy at the terms which the majority of teams had accepted in signing it.

McLaren, Williams and Tyrrell refused to sign the agreement and will not receive any of the financial benefits, such as a travel budget, which will be paid to the other teams which have signed it.