Schumacher Reserves Judgement on 'New F1'

World Champion Michael Schumacher remains skeptical on the new changes introduced to Formula One, and said he reserves judgement on the new regulations until after he has seen them in use - this despite stating his disappointment with some of the new guidelines.

"I'm not too keen on the idea of not allowing refuelling between the second qualifying session and the race," Schumacher said ahead of the Australian Grand Prix this weekend.

"I have also enjoyed the challenge implicit in the search for the perfect set up in qualifying; I feel that in this way you lose an exciting spectacle, for the spectators too. Maybe the 'spirit of qualification' will exist on the Friday, but the Friday doesn't count towards the starting positions. All in all it is a new type of Formula One; saying this, I have always liked the idea of a single fast lap: it will be more entertaining."

The FIA has introduced a series of changes to the sport's regulations ahead of the 2003 season, among them a drastic change in the qualifying format - now run over two sessions, with each driver running alone on track for only one lap. Moreover, cars will be held by the FIA between qualifying and race, which means the teams will not be allowed to alter - or even refuel - before the race's start.

Many of the changes were introduced, among other reasons, in order to cut costs for the teams competing in Formula One as well as improve the entertainment value of the sport, after a rather dull season in 2002 which saw Schumacher and Ferrari completely dominate.

"I do realise that it is necessary to improve Formula One as a spectacle and make it more easily accessible for potential sponsors," Schumacher commented. "The entire world economy is going through difficult times and some Formula One teams have also been affected, so I think these changes are a move in the right direction.

"But we will be able to see the effects of these changes only in Australia. They won't alter my attitude towards the race weekend, but will undoubtedly affect the preparation, in particular because the Friday is now much more important. I would like to get a better idea before giving my verdict on the changes.

"On the other hand, I think I know enough about the world of racing to know that it is nonsense to worry about the implications of events before they have even taken place. I believe we can do this thing though."

Schumacher, who will be launching his challenge for a record sixth World Championship this weekend in Melbourne, also said his motivation for winning has not diminished due to his unprecedented success.

"I have been racing now for around thirty years and I have never had problems of motivation," the German said. "At times I have the sensation of having been born for this sport: every time is special, it is gripping and always stimulating. A hypothetical sixth title is not an additional stimulation and to speak of it now when the season hasn't even begun is surely wrong.

"In some way I am always nervous before a race, above all at the beginning of the season," Schumacher added. "You never know what the new year will bring: in Formula One things can change very quickly. It is a physical thing that you feel in the stomach, a mix of satisfaction and nervousness. This happens even if there are no apparent reasons to worry.

"We have worked hard throughout winter and the figures of last week's testing show that there is nothing to be worried about. Still, to allow yourself a feeling of security at the start is the first step in the wrong direction."