Formula One news

Schumacher shocked by late changes

Seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher has explained how he is 'astonished' at the various rule changes to Formula 1 to come into affect for the next two years, and is shocked that the governing body made several moderations less than two weeks before the start of the new season.

Schumacher, who has attended pre-season tests in both Jerez and Barcelona over the last few weeks, first expressed his worries over the new KERS system which came into affect for 2009: "You have to say that KERS is a risk for all the teams using it, with the new restricted testing regulations. There are, as always, certain question marks before the first races but that's what makes the whole thing so attractive isn't it?"

The German struggled, however, to see the positive side to those rules imposed by the FIA this week: "I doubt the same goes for the new rules given out at such late notice prior to the start of the season," he continued. "It's something which is to me really, well, astonishing, as in previous years when the majority of teams wanted a rule change for a good reason, the FIA always said that it would not be possible in the short-term, or so late before the start of a season."

The new regulations, particularly those surrounding how the championship will be decided, have been met with mixed views by both those in and around Formula 1. "I cannot imagine those changes will help F1, especially regarding the new system to find the champion," Schumacher said on his website. "I cannot see how it makes sense to eventually have a World Champion who could have less points than the runner-up, although I also think it is a good move to try to strengthen the winner's position. Generally we should also make sure that F1 remains the top series of motorsport, also by displaying the competition with the highest levels of technology."

Michael went on to share his views following his spectating at tests: "I have been at tests to get an overview of the situation and can confidently say - let the season begin! I say this as a fan of both motorsports and of Ferrari; the last impressions were that we look pretty good and should be in the position to fight for the World Championship titles.

"The picture to me at the moment is that there are several teams able to be at the front; besides us there are Renault, Toyota, BMW and Williams as well - on the other hand, after Barcelona you clearly have to say that Ross' team was outstanding. They were one second in front, and if they can take that performance into the season they are strong too, even if the big teams will cut that advantage away with time, which is likely. McLaren, at the moment, looks pretty bad." Michael's comments did come, however, before Wednesday's running in Jerez this week which saw Heikki Kovalainen set the third fastest time of anybody there so far this winter.

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