Michael predicts much closer racing

New F1 regulations have been introduced for this year in a bid to spice up the racing, with major changes made to the bodywork rules, including a moveable front wing element.

This will allow drivers to temporarily add more downforce at the front of their car, which will help them when following other cars closely as they battle for position.

And although there has been some skepticism about how much of a benefit the new rules will have on the racing, Michael is adamant that the front wing rule has improved matters greatly.

"It was something that we thought would be a little tuning aid, but having gone through the first test from the first try out in Portugal, the ability to follow other cars through high speed corners was massively improved," said Michael.

"A lot of it was because traditionally when you followed somebody you got a lot of understeer because you lost front downforce. Now, you can correct it all using the front wing flap.

"On some tracks it won't make too much difference. At Melbourne probably the only corner you can use it is onto the start finish straight, because I don't think the straights are long enough, but at some tracks it will make a big difference for sure."

Michael's comments that the new rules have made a difference echo those made recently by BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld, who thinks the new generation of cars do make it easier to follow rivals.

"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," Heidfeld told his official website.

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