German concerned more downforce will see even less overtaking
Wednesday 13 April 2016 10:38, UK
Nico Rosberg is concerned Formula 1 is heading in the wrong direction with the 2017 regulations and fears overtaking will become even more difficult.
Plans are afoot to make the cars five seconds per lap quicker by introducing wider rear tyres and increasing downforce.
However, while wider tyres should increase mechanical grip and help the show, adding more downforce is only likely to increase the dirty airflow which currently makes it nigh on impossible for one car to follow another closely.
"I'm concerned about the fact that we are trying to make the racing more exciting and so I am worried that it is the wrong direction," Rosberg said.
"We know that to go quicker we need more downforce which is what we are aiming for and with more downforce it is more difficult to follow other cars. We know that, that is a fact.
"So I'm worried that it is not the right direction."
Force India deputy team principal Bob Fernley confirmed that adding downforce is part of the plan and expects the new rules to be signed off by the end of April..
"I think we have to go with what our capabilities are. We are looking at the wider tyres, more aggressive sexy design, adding some downforce and we have to work within the capabilities of the tyre manufacturer which is guiding us in what they can do," he said.
"It would be wrong of us to try to push it beyond that, so let's build that, look at it, then take it to the next step.
"As far as I know we are all working to have that by the end of April. I don't think there are any stumbling blocks to the new car, the teams are comfortable, the FIA are comfortable and Pirelli are comfortable."
While Rosberg is wary of the new regulations, Mercedes' team-mate Lewis Hamilton said he would welcome change after what he felt was a less than thrilling Bahrain GP.
"It's not good enough as it is," the world champion said.
"Things can be better, we should be pushing flat out the full race. I guarantee you Nico wasn't pushing from lap 10 and Kimi [Raikkonen] wasn't pushing for 15-20 laps at the end.
"It should be a lot closer, there shouldn't be an 80-second gap between first and seventh. They should be easily within 10-15 seconds."
