Schumacher voices tyre warmer ban fears

Schumacher tested the slicks for the first time with Ferrari at Barcelona on Wednesday, and added his voice to the growing chorus on the issue by saying that any decision on the matter must be taken after 'careful' consideration.

Drivers are concerned that without tyre warmers, the re-introduced slick tyres combined with the 2009 levels of downforce, do not provide enough grip when cold, leading to large differences in speed between cars already up to tyre temperature and those on out-laps.

After testing in Spain, Schumacher argued that it was a pointless rule anyway, given that all the teams already had the techonology and that it did not represent a large cost cut.

"I think they will have to rethink this approach, because everybody already has tyre blankets," he said. "We don't save anything, we don't do anything other than make it more difficult for everybody [by taking them away]."

Schumacher added that he had really enjoyed using slick tyres again, telling reporters at Barcelona that it had brought a huge element of fun back into driving a Formula 1 car.

"It was obviously interesting because they have lots of grip and they are very different," he said. "It was fun. I quite like to drive these slicks. Although obviously one subject is the tyre blankets that I think they have to think about it whether it is a good decision or not.

"I believe the general decision is a very good one for F1 to change the ratio between aerodynamic performance to mechanical performance. Meaning that you will probably see more close driving between the cars.

"You do have to think of the approach, if you want to use tyre blankets or not, because that can be crucial. We have to decide and think very carefully if this is the right approach.

"But anyway, I think it is a good step for everybody. The drivers like it, the spectators will like it, and I hope you [the media] will too."