Jenson Button expects the regulation changes next season will be a positive thing for the fans, but says the drivers will have a tougher time than at present.
The Briton has been driving the MP4-29 in McLaren’s simulator to get a feel for what things will be like next year. His initial feelings are that the cars will be far harder to drive because of the increased torque from the new turbo-charged V6 engines and the decreased downforce thanks to the positioning of the exhausts.
“It’s about getting an understanding of the power unit and how we are going to put the power down, because it’s not going to be easy,” he explained.
“I don’t think any of us are used to having torque. I’ve raced for 14 years in F1 and I’ve never had torque so it’s going to be a new experience.”
Whilst he’s not expecting the simulator to give a truly accurate feel for what the car will be like, he’s certain he and his rivals will have a tougher time keeping the car in a straight-line as they power out of the corner.
“I think it will be easier in reality but we’re going to find it tough,” he added. “In high speed corners you’re off power for so long and you just can’t get the power down. You’re waiting the whole time. It’s not like now with so much downforce and so little torque that you can just floor it and even if you run a bit wide you just understeer off the circuit.
“But with the 2014 car if you floor it in a corner like Turn 3 at Barcelona, you don’t just drive off, you immediately lose the rear because there is so much torque. It’s not a balance issue, you have torque and we’ve never had that before.”
He believes the fans will be the real winners as they enjoy closer racing “similar to GP2”, but says the driver’s won’t be having as much fun.
“I don’t think it will be more exciting to drive. We are going to be fighting for grip the whole time, so I don’t think that will make it more exciting.
“The racing will still be exciting, but I think it will be more close and there will be more fighting. There is already lot anyway but the way the cars will be, with less downforce, harder tyres and more torque, you’ll get close racing a bit like GP2 because it will be so much easier to make a mistake.”
