Heidfeld downplays wet weather concerns

Some drivers have expressed their concerns about wet weather safety in 2008, and Grand Prix Drivers' Association director David Coulthard is leading a campaign to discuss the issue with the FIA ahead of the season.

Heidfeld, however, believes the traction control ban is the way to go, downplaying the added risks of racing without it on a wet circuit.

"If somebody from the GPDA says something, then it does not necessarily mean he shares the opinion with all the rest," Heidfeld told reporters at the launch of BMW's new car.

"You have to be careful not to see it this way. I guess he said it in a personal way, as it was not discussed within the GPDA.

"It is understandable, and it definitely is more dangerous than in the dry. But there is always a line. Driving a Formula One car is dangerous by itself. You can just sit outside it and it will be safer. For me it is not crossing the line of being too dangerous.

"I think it is what F1 needs. I think F1 needs no traction control. I enjoy it a lot more as a driver and definitely, especially in the race, it will be from my point of view more fun to drive.

"If the conditions are like they were in Fuji, for example, then I think the race should have been stopped anyway - no matter if you had TC or not."