Frederic Vasseur, the head of Ferrari, has expressed reservations about Red Bull's new strategy in how it utilises what are termed 'TPC days' in Formula 1.
'TPC' stands for 'Testing of Previous Car', which permits teams limited in-season testing using cars that are at least two years old. While last year's TPC days, involving the 2021 models, had little impact on F1 developments, the scenario has shifted.
This year, 2022 models, the first of the new generation, are allowed on the test tracks. Teams like Ferrari, Mercedes, Alpine, and now Red Bull are maximizing this provision.
Specifically, Max Verstappen's recent testing session in the 2022 Red Bull at Imola, right before the Spanish Grand Prix, particularly drew Vasseur's attention.
"There is no distinction," he noted, concerning the TPC rules and how teams may utilize the allotted test days.
"There are TPCs you can do with your race drivers, and for me they are more about development than anything else, especially if you do a TPC the week before a grand prix," Vasseur commented.
Regarding Verstappen's Imola test, he maintained: "I'm not complaining about what they did, because it's in accordance with the regulations, and that's fine. But such a test is more about the development of the car than about anything else. It's not that they want Max to gain experience on a Tuesday like that," he added.
Vasseur suggested that using the tests solely for development might stray from the original intent of TPC days.
"It is clear that this (Imola test) was about development, because you can also use those tests for young drivers, and that requires a different approach. You want to give them the opportunity to make progress in addition to their simulator work, and for the drivers to develop in this way. So that's the other side of the story," Vasseur explained.
He proposed that perhaps the use of TPC days should be reevaluated: "I think this needs to be looked at and we need to split it into two parts - namely the days we do with our (race) drivers and the days we do with other drivers."
Despite these concerns, Vasseur is not overly worried about Ferrari's current dip in performance, especially after introducing a significant car upgrade in Barcelona.
"This week we will use the car better," he assured.
"It is not the first time that we have seen the upgrades work in the following race compared to when they debut."
"It happens to us as it does to other teams, especially considering that the evolutionary packages are no longer as massive as they were a few years ago because the cars are so advanced."
