World champion Kimi Raikkonen expects a fun season this year with more overtaking given Formula One's new rules outlawing traction control.
Other enforced changes include gearbox and driver protection innovations which mean Ferrari's F2008 car, unveiled at their base in northern Italy yesterday, is heavier this year.
The
weight distribution and wheelbase have also been altered after lessons learned from the performance of the Bridgestone tyres last year, and there is an almost completely new aerodynamic design which will be developed further.
But the lack of traction control and the potential for more crashes is the biggest issue for the world champions ahead of the first race in Melbourne on March 16.
"Now traction control is not going to help you but for me it will be a lot more fun. I think there will be an easier chance to overtake as people will make more mistakes," Raikkonen said.
"The sport is dangerous anyway. It doesn't matter if you have traction control or not. If you think it is too dangerous you probably shouldn't be in the sport. It is more tricky for sure, you need to be awake more of the time."
The Finn's teammate Felipe Massa was less positive about the changes and said drivers had asked for safety assurances from the FIA, Formula One's governing body.
"This is a very important change. It will have to be a smoother driving style," said the Brazilian, who was still enamoured with the new Ferrari.
"My expectations are very high. When you first look at the car it is a special moment. It is like seeing a child being born. Now we have to let this child grow and grow as quickly as possible."
Both drivers said it was too early to tell who their main challengers would be this season given the new rules and Fernando Alonso moving from McLaren back to Renault, who struggled last year.
Raikkonen is keen to get back to action, saying a Formula One driver's Christmas stocking is rather empty.
"I don't really need anything. I'm happy to get over Christmas. It's quite boring really."
- REUTERS
