Rubens fearful over 2005 regs

Barrichello returned to the cockpit of his F2004 modified to run exactly as it would to the 2005 regulations. But although the new rules appear to have been successful in their aim of slowing the cars, the Brazilian has admitted that he was 'shocked' at what affect the changes had had on the handling of the cars.

"To be honest when I first went in the car, it was tremendous - I could not put the power down and I felt very strange," he said. "I came back into the pits and asked the team if it was like that with everyone and they said yes. I was shocked!

"My first impression was that I did not like it, especially because the car is now so difficult to drive and in a way it is a bit more dangerous."

He added: "I like the challenge though, the challenge of adapting and the challenge of being quick with such a car. The car has more understeer and more oversteer - and to overtake with this I really do not know how it is going to be done.

"There is no mechanical grip, because you are lacking in aerodynamic grip and behind someone you lose everything again - effectively you do not have the car to turn the corner."

When asked whether he was expecting a host of surprises from the first race of the season, Barrichello said: "I think so, it will be a big shock for all of us. I am up for it, it is a new challenge and we will live with it.

"But you can count on a lot more spins next year than 2004, for sure."

Ferrari and BAR are the only two teams who have adapted their cars entirely to fit the 2005 regulations. The other teams are running variations of the 2004 rules, and some are simulating the grip levels expected next year.