Heidfeld predicts more overtaking

F1 has undertaken the biggest aero overhaul since 1983 for this season, with engineers having been asked to create ways to help make the racing better.

And although there had been some skepticism about how much of a change the new bodywork rules would make, Heidfeld says his first impressions of the characteristics have been promising.

He says that he got a chance to follow another car closely during last week's test in Bahrain, and was happy with the results.

"I finally got a chance to actually tail another car," Heidfeld told his official website about the Bahrain experience. "I have the impression that the new aerodynamics are going to make it easier to close in on the driver ahead, just as we had hoped.

"This should certainly make overtaking a lot simpler. I'm hoping that this suspicion will be confirmed over the weeks to come."

Heidfeld claims that the rule changes have also made the pre-season testing build-up more exciting than it has been for years.

"Testing this time round has been so much more fun because there are so many new developments to keep up with and I'm learning a lot about the new elements," he said.

"I'm having to adapt my driving style, which partly involves experimentation but also to some extent happens automatically.

"You're always finding new, hidden potential and that's what makes testing so enjoyable. Now I'm looking forward to the next tests in Jerez early in March."