Don't expect big 2014 Formula 1 surprises - Toro Rosso's Franz Tost

The major aerodynamic changes of the 2008/9 winter completely altered the competitive order in F1.

The McLaren and Ferrari teams that had contested the previous two titles fell down the order as Brawn - created from the ashes of the works Honda team - and erstwhile midfielder Red Bull battled for the championship.

But although the 2014 regulation overhaul is much further ranging, Tost does not expect the order to be reset, putting the 2009 situation down to the unique circumstances of the double diffuser rules loophole that Brawn exploited.

"I don't expect something like this," he said.

"This was a very special case because Brawn won the championship because of the double diffuser.

"I don't expect a team will come up with such a surprising solution for 2014."

Instead Tost thinks the switch to turbocharged V6 engines and more powerful energy recovery systems will give the wealthy teams a chance to emphasise their advantage.

"I expect the top teams will be in front," he said.

"I don't expect a big change, especially now after the regulation change because they have the financial resources and the manpower to be flexible to make any changes, which you have to make with a new car.

"The more money and the more resources you have, the more successful you will be."

2008 vs 2009

The F1 pecking order has rarely changed as suddenly as it did in the winter of 2008/09 when new aerodynamic rules came into effect.

Constructors' points:

2008                  2009
 1.  Ferrari     172  1.  Brawn     172
 2.  McLaren     151  2.  Red Bull  153.5
 3.  BMW         135  3.  McLaren   71
 4.  Renault     80   4.  Ferrari   70
 5.  Toyota      56   5.  Toyota    59.5

Wins:

2008               2009
Ferrari     8      Brawn     8
McLaren     6      Red Bull  6
Renault     2      McLaren   2
BMW         1      Ferrari   1
Toro Rosso  1