Heidfeld: floor tests won't hinder Ferrari

Nick Heidfeld is not expecting his BMW Sauber team or rivals Ferrari to be affected by the FIA clampdown on movable floors from the Malaysian Grand Prix

The FIA has modified its bodywork tests to ensure a system used by some teams does not circumvent the regulations following suggestions in Australia that some had interpreted the rules in a way that was not deemed legal.

Although both Ferrari and BMW Sauber were believed to be at the centre of controversy over the interpretation of the rules regarding movable floors, Heidfeld is not expecting the new test to affect their performance.

"I don't expect any issues with us," Heidfeld told autosport.com. "I don't expect any big change for anyone, including Ferrari.

"They are one and a half second quicker than anyone, and changing the floor does not take that away," added the German driver.

Heidfeld reckons the pecking order will remain unchanged at the Malaysian Grand Prix this weekend, after Ferrari dominated the Australian Grand Prix.

"I think the picture will be very similar, because the picture we saw in Melbourne was roughly what I had expected after several tests in Spain," Heidfeld added.

"Ferrari was quickest everywhere, but from very early on McLaren looked as though they would dominate, but in fact the Ferraris were always in front, then McLaren behind and then us."

Heidfeld finished in fourth place in Australia, behind race winner Kimi Raikkonen and the McLarens of Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton.