New Formula 1 grand prix start rules 'a big change' - Nico Rosberg
Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg reckons revised rules regarding starting clutch procedures in Formula 1, set for introduction at next month's Belgian Grand Prix, will make race starts more unpredictable
The FIA issued a technical directive to teams on July 9, detailing measures to reduce the influence of the pitwall on how F1 drivers operate their cars at the start of races.
Rosberg reckons the new rules will increase the chances of the competitive order changing on the opening laps of races, because reduced radio communication and help from teams with clutch settings will lead to drivers making more mistakes.
When quizzed about the revised rules during a promotional event for Mercedes' technical partner Petronas, Rosberg said: "It's going to be a challenge, it really is, because up to now it was so controlled by the engineers, who were doing the settings and everything.
"Now, to be completely on your own, it's a big change, so it will be interesting.
"It'll be easy to do it, but it will be complex to do it well."
Rosberg and Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton locked out the front row for the recent British GP, but slipped behind both Williams drivers after both made poor getaways.
The German said Mercedes' poor starts at Silverstone were the result of low grip on the grid and imperfect clutch settings, and that the chances of a repeat will increase when the new rules come into force next month.
"We had a few things that surprised us [at Silverstone], for example the grip on the starting grid and then the grip that our clutch had was a bit of a surprise due to some variable that happened earlier," he added.
"We didn't do a perfect job.
"More of that will happen [with the new rules], because there will be more variables and it will be more difficult to predict."
Rosberg beat title rival Hamilton away from the startline convincingly at June's Austrian GP, and he thinks the new regulations will increase his chances of developing an advantage over his team-mate.
"I like it [the change] because it gives me the opportunity to try and beat Lewis in that area," he said.
"Whereas until now it's difficult because it was not really in the driver's hands."
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