Writing on his personal site after his team's latest test in Bahrain, the German driver revealed the new aerodynamics already show the expected effect.
“This week, I finally got a chance to actually tail another car. In Valencia, all the test runs were solo. I have the impression that the new aerodynamics are going to make it easier to close in on the driver ahead, just as we had hoped. This should certainly make overtaking a lot simpler. I'm hoping that this suspicion will be confirmed over the weeks to come,” wrote Heidfeld.
This can only be good news for FIA's Overtaking Working Group (OWG), whose formation last year was strictly aimed to improve overtaking in Formula 1. Formed by three of the most experienced technical directors in F1 – McLaren's Paddy Lowe, Renault's Pat Symonds and Ferrari's Rory Byrne – the OWG had the sole mission of improving the show via aerodynamic changes.
FIA's Max Mosley also revealed he is very confident that, despite their rather strange looks, the 2009 challengers will boost the overtaking percentage in Formula 1 in 2009. Otherwise, the OWG's purpose ceases to exist.
“The 2009 aerodynamic regulations were developed by three of the top Formula One engineers, aided by an extensive wind tunnel programme. I have no means of judging whether they have got it right, but if they have not, it will be surprising and disappointing,” said Mosley, who added: “If the desired effect does not occur, then that will be the end of the expert group.”
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