Ross Brawn has hailed F1’s August hiatus.
In the month-long gap between Hungary and Spa, team factories must close for a mandatory two-week period, with even email systems needing to be shut down.
"It was one of the best ideas we (the teams) have ever had," Mercedes’ team boss Brawn is quoted by Der Spiegel, "because everyone has worked flat-out with constant stress and almost constantly travelling since the beginning of the year."
Explained Toro Rosso chief Franz Tost: "Only maintenance is allowed, for example in the wind tunnels, but it has to be done by external companies."
Because the shutdown is not an FIA regulation, however, it is not strictly policed, with the teams instead simply promising to abide the gentleman’s agreement.
Der Spiegel speculated that the agreed penalty for breaches is a EUR 2 million donation to the FIA.