WilliamsF1's Mark Webber questions rules

With the BMW WilliamsF1 team having launched their 2005 challenger the FW27, team driver Mark Webber has had the opportunity to run a car designed under the 2005 regulations. This includes the use of the new 2005 tyres which are designed to last far longer than those in 2004, due to the new ruling banning tyre changes during a race.

In the Australian media mark questioned the questioned this rule and said that races in 2005 could end up been nothing more than economy runs with drivers having to conserve their tyres. In the Australian magazine Auto Action Mark spoke of his concerns.

He said: “One set of tyres for the race? It's ridiculous. God, it's an economy run. What is this? Some people will work better with it but if you're a real racer, that's not ideal.”

He added: “F1 is the pinnacle. It's cutting edge. It's something we've all grown up with - wanting to see the fastest drivers in the world. To detune a car to where a Formula Renault would blow it away, then we may as well pack up.

"I like the V10s, I think they sound fantastic. The V12s even sounded better. A V8? Well, a bit disappointing, but that's the way it is. Everyone's got a V8. You can have one in your road car, it's not such a big deal."

Even though he was concerned with the way the sport was heading he did go on to support the need for speed cuts.

Mark added: "If there was no regulating going on at all in keeping the engineers in check, the speeds of the cars would be absolutely ridiculous. There are tracks that can't accommodate (F1 cars) if development continues. Monza and Suzuka are on the edge in some places.

"It's a balancing act. You go to China and you can't hit anything. All the tracks that have been built in the last five years are fine."