Formula 1 looks set to be bound by a common set of testing rules once again after Ferrari agreed to fall in line with all of its rivals.

Last year, the Italian team refused to adhere to a gentleman's agreement to limit private testing in a bid to drive down costs in the sport.

But Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn revealed in Bahrain that a new proposal from Williams's Patrick Head and Honda's Nick Fry paved the way for a unilateral agreement between the current 11 teams.

"Patrick Head and Nick Fry came to us with an alternative proposal which was much more in line with what we wanted," said Brawn.

Ferrari covered more than 50,000km in testing during 2005 after refusing to agree to the self-imposed limits of the other teams, claiming that it was the only team developing Bridgestone tyres.

The new agreement will see that amount cut down to around 35,000km, a significant saving when you consider that the cost of running an F1 car amounts to approximately $1400 per lap.

The Italian team has frequently said that it would never sign an agreement that would prevent it using its own test track Fiorano for F1 development.

The terms of the new agreement however, which include a limit 36 day's testing and require teams to nominate home tracks (the full day's use of which would count for half a day), are believed to have won Ferrari over.

"Last year the issue was that we were the only Bridgestone team, so it was difficult to find an amicable agreement," said Brawn.

"But that has obviously changed because of Williams and Toyota contributing to a tyre development programme which has improved things markedly.

"What the other teams would not accept last year, but have accepted this year is that Fiorano has to be accommodated, because we have made the investment in it and we are not going to give that up."