Barrichello: New Rules Won't Help Overtaking

Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello believes next year's new regulations will not allow for more overtaking and will make the cars more difficult to drive.

Brazilian Barrichello, this year's overall runner-up for Ferrari, on Thursday made his return to testing at the Jerez circuit, driving for the first time since the end of the season in October.

The Ferrari driver worked with the 2005-spec aerodynamic package, which reduces downforce significantly, and he admitted he needed a few laps to adapt, going off track a few times during the day.

"I wanted to be here (at Jerez) because I didn't want to let too much time go by before getting behind the wheel again," Barrichello told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I needed five or six laps to get used to the new set up of the car, which now is much more nervous.

"It'll be a laugh when we'll find ourself on a dirty track. With these aerodynamic loads it'll be hard to control the car.

"Even passing, the reason why these regulations were set, will still be a problem in my opinion. If you follow [another car] closely you lose what little load you have. It'll be a challenge within a challenge, but we are going forwards: the team has done a great job."

Under next year's rules, Formula One engines must last twice as long next year, and the teams will also be limited to one set of tyres for qualifying and the race, forcing them to use a harder compound that should lead to reduced cornering speeds.

"F1 is going more towards endurance than speed, but at least the drivers able to adapt best will rise through," added Barrichello. "At the moment we are at least one and a half seconds slower just in the aerodynamics."