Schumy gives blessing to rule changes

Michael Schumacher has given his blessing to plans to change Formula One rules from 2006 but warned it may be almost impossible to cut costs.

Max Mosley, president of world governing body the FIA, is pressing ahead with plans to cut the cost of competing in Formula One by restricting the amount of high-tech gadgets permitted on cars, as well as introducing standard parts and a control tyre.

Schumacher is in favour of Mosley’s plan to cut engine power – which the Englishman wants to do by reducing engine size – but has grave doubts over how to trim budgets.

Schumacher’s Ferrari has the biggest budget of all teams on the grid but even their vast expense is dwarfed by the €1bn euro bill engine manufacturers pick up simply for providing power.

Schumacher feels it will be difficult to reduce the money spent by Formula One’s big guns, claiming the cash will eventually be spent by any team determined enough to succeed.

He said: “What you do will satisfy some and not satisfy others. It is very difficult to save money in Formula One because if a team has the budget they will always spend it to do the best job. The cost will just be shifted to other areas.

“You have to be careful how you do that [cut costs]. The current engine rules with one engine for a weekend work well.

“We have reduced the downforce but we haven’t reduced the horsepower – that is the right way to go.”

This weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix will be Schumacher’s 200th and he pinpointed BAR as the team most likely to spoil his party.

“Obviously I feel good – it doesn’t matter if it’s 200 grand prix or not,” he said.

“We have strong competition in BAR, we have seen the testing times and they look fast.”

While Jenson Button and BAR are spoken of as Schumacher’s main rivals, David Coulthard – who has fulfilled that role in the past – is left frustrated at a poor start to the season.

The Scotsman has claimed just four points this season – to team-mate Kimi Raikkonen’s one – and goes into Sunday’s race on the back of a 12th place in San Marino.

He said: “Again it wasn’t an ideal result for us in Imola and I am obviously not where I want to be in the championship, but we are working hard as a team to improve our competitiveness in all areas.

“As with most drivers I enjoy the Spanish Grand Prix, the atmosphere is always very enthusiastic and the track is great to drive.”

Raikkonen finally broke his duck at Imola and he is hoping for a change in fortunes at Barcelona after suffering the brunt of McLaren’s mechanical trouble.

“We still have some way to go as we want to be at the front of the grid,” he said. “It will take time but everyone is working hard towards this.”