Schumacher Unfazed by F1 Rule Changes (Updated)

Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher said today that the radical rule changes introduced to the sport will not have a dramatic impact on the outcome of races.

But the Ferrari driver believes that some of the younger drivers may struggle without hi-tech driving aids.

The sports governing body, the FIA, announced on Wednesday a series of measures that would curb the use of electronic driver aids but Schumacher is convinced a good team will remain a good team whatever the rules.

"My view is that it doesn't really change so much because, with all the electronic possibilities, you needed a very good team around you and good engineers to work with you to understand the system 100 percent in order to maximise everything because you have so many possibilities with all the aids.

"I don't see that I, or any good driver, will take the advantage by a big amount," the German told a press conference at the Dolomite ski resort. "The only way I can see that (a big change) is in rain conditions because I believe, without traction control in particular, it will be very, very difficult and you need a lot more feeling in order to be on the pace.

"At the same time, it will be quite a bit more dangerous. But it has been the same in the past and we will have to deal with that - so it is going to be a little bit more exciting," added Schumacher.

The German said he enjoyed the benefits of hi-tech assistance but had plenty of experience of driving without them under previous regulations.

Technical Possibilities

"For me, I prefer the one with all the technical possibilities because I don't like to make compromises in the race car," he said. "I like to make it as fast as possible and all the electronics have helped that.

"Obviously that was same for everyone and, if there are changes, it is again the same for everyone. I have dealt with the other system before so I will deal with it as it comes," he said.

But the five-times World Champion said the rule change would leave little time for some teams to make the necessary adaptations to their cars.

"In the next few days, the technicians will meet to fully understand what is feasible," he said. "Some proposals have come so late that maybe smaller teams, like Minardi, won't have the capacity to change so quickly."

The World Champion rejected the view that the changes to be introduced for next season - including point changes and a one-lap qualifier - were an 'anti-Ferrari' move.

"I honestly don't think so. A good team is always a good team," he said, while adding that teams who had struggled to make the most of the old rules would inevitably be given a boost.

"I think whoever has not been able to maximise the use of all the electronic aids will basically benefit," said Schumacher. "Because if you don't have the aids and you don't have to deal with them, then you can't go wrong."

He added that younger drivers, with little or no experience of driving without electronic aids, would probably be the ones to suffer from the new rules initially.

Young Drivers

"It will change for some young drivers who seem to get on very easily with Formula One at the moment to a certain speed.

"It will change because - with the amount of power that we have, with the amount of grip that we have - if you imagine that we don't have all those technical possibilities..... that will be a lot more difficult," he added.

The only rule change Schumacher expressed a clear doubt about was the banning of radio communication between teams and their drivers.

"If there is an oil problem in a certain corner or an accident or a rain situation mixed on the track, then on the radio you can discuss that. If you don't have a radio, you cannot," he said.

But the World Champion said there was no question that, with budgets tighter, the sport had to move to help teams with less resources.

"Personally I believe that Formula One has to adjust to changing times. Perhaps with this (change) F1 will become more accessible for smaller teams. There are huge expenses involved in the sport and some of the smaller teams are afraid.

"Maybe it is something positive, F1 has to consider how to find funds. We know that in races the technical details are not always so important - you can have a race without these aids".