Ferrari wrote to the other F1 teams and the FIA requesting that Michael Schumacher be allowed a one day test at the wheel of the F60. Red Bull, Toro Rosso and Williams held out on in-season circuit testing which is prohibited under FIA rules.

Schumacher will replace Felipe Massa at the European Grand Prix on 23 August.

Williams statement:

"While we welcome Michael Schumacher back to F1, the fact is any form of in-season circuit testing is strictly prohibited, a regulation clearly laid out by the FIA and adhered to by all of the teams," said Williams in a statement.

"It was for this reason Alguersuari, who drove an F1 car for the first time in Hungary, did not have the opportunity to familiarise himself with the Toro Rosso before he made his race debut.

"Williams sees no distinction between Alguersuari's situation and Schumacher's and feels any deviation from the rule would create a precedent for the future."

Williams also pointed out that Ferrari chose Schumacher over current test drivers Luca Badoer and Marc Gene, who have both tested the team's 2009 model.