F1 stars predict exciting 2005 season

Formula One drivers are predicting an incident-packed year after trying out the 2005-specification cars.

Revised regulations, designed to slow cars and improve the racing, mean that there will be less grip.

The aerodynamics, crucial to the car’s ability to "stick" to the track, has been cut and tyres now have to be harder, and therefore slower, to ensure they last a full race.

Ferrari racer Rubens Barrichello told F1central.com: “I was a bit shocked. It’s much more nervous, harder to drive, (has) much less grip, and I really don’t know how you are going to overtake with it.

“For sure, it’s going to be a laugh on a dirty track – cars spinning everywhere!”

Renault test-driver Franck Montagny backed up the Brazilian’s assessment of the new regulations, which should cut lap times by around three seconds from 2004.

The Frenchman said: “What’s it like to drive? Slippery! The rear also slides more which can be fun for the driver, but it really slows you down.”

He added that driving flat-out between pitstops was a thing of the past with no tyre changes allowed in races in 2005.

Michael Schumacher, the defending champion, told RTL: “It will be different but also interesting.

"Nothing ever stands still in Formula One, so I guess we’ll all have to adjust to it.”

The season gets underway in Melbourne on March 6.