New Rules Won't Favour Overtaking, Says Badoer

Ferrari's test driver Luca Badoer believes the rule changes to be introduced in 2005 will not benefit overtaking in Formula One.

New rules will come into play in the hope of reducing the cars' downforce as the FIA, the sport's governing body, try to limit speeds and improve the show.

Badoer tested on Monday at the Vallelunga circuit with a 2005-spec F2004 and was over two seconds slower than what he managed in October with the 2004 car. The Italian, however, said the slower times will not mean more overtaking.

"It's not clear what we will be slower for: in the end we'll be one and a half seconds slower at most, so it isn't a drastic reduction which may have some effects on the race," Badoer told Gazzetta dello Sport. "Whoever thinks this could favour overtaking is a dreamer.

"I think the difficulties, where there are some, will be more or less the same. There will be less grip and the difference, with the new aerodynamics, will be felt especially in the medium-fast curves, where the cars will be more nervous and difficult to keep in line. I think, however, that it will just be a matter or getting used to it.

"I don't think the drivers will find it difficult to get comfortable with cars with these new configurations. The differences are of little relevance. Here at Vallelunga, for example, from the exit of the Roma curve to the Cimini section it's full throttle exactly like it was when I tested in mid-October.

"The reduced performance won't last long, as remedies will be found along the way. Meantime, at Maranello, we've done a lot of methodical work in the wind tunnel. 99% of the components of the car I use here are 2005 version."