New aerodynamic and tyre regulations for the 2005 F1 season will make the cars twitchy, slide around a lot and pose new challenges for drivers, Renault’s Franck Montagny and Ferrari’s Rubens Barrichello say.
New aerodynamic and tyre regulations for the 2005 F1 season will make the cars twitchy, slide around a lot and pose new challenges for drivers, Renault’s Franck Montagny and Ferrari’s Rubens Barrichello say.
After evaluating a Renault R24 that had been adapted to comply with next year’s aerodynamic regulations at Jerez recently, the Frenchman said: “(Driving the car) is a different challenge. There is much less grip, which you really notice in the medium-speed corners.
“The rear of the car will also slide more readily, which is fun for the driver, but it costs you in terms of lap-time. Of course, the drivers have also lost the fun of running with new tyres all the time,” he added.
Because drivers will not be allowed to change tyres during grands prix next year (unless weather conditions obligate teams to fit different tread rubber), “you need to be able to manage the tyres from the start to the end of a race, and not simply drive flat out throughout the stint.
Motagny added: “Car set-up will be even more important than in the past. Until now, a new set of tyres could mask a small problem with the chassis, but that will no longer be the case for 2005. Even the smallest handling imbalance will have a big impact after 300 km”.
Barrichello was more blunt about next year’s F1 cars, saying that they will be “more dangerous” than faster 2004 versions.
“I was a bit shocked,” the Brazilian said after testing an interim ’05-spec car. “It’s much more nervous, harder to drive, (has) much less grip, and I really don’t know how you are going to overtake with it.
He added: “For sure, it’s going to be a laugh on a dirty track — cars spinning everywhere!”
