Jenson Button is predicting a “hilarious” first test in Jerez in late-January as the drivers get to grips with the 2014 cars for the first time.
The regulation changes will, according to the Briton, force them to adopt completely new driving styles as they are required to manage far more torque than they’re used to. Add in the reliability and reduced downforce and Button expects a laugh or two.
“Winter testing is going to be hilarious in Jerez,” he said, having tested the MP4-29 in McLaren’s simulator.
“It will be cold, the tyres aren’t going to work, the cars probably won’t work either and when you do get a lap it is probably going to feel weird because you are running higher gears – you get into eighth gear before you get to seventh gear now.
“It is a very different way of driving and you have to forget a lot you have learned over the years in terms of the driveability of a racing car, the engine, the power output of a racing car and the way you put the power down.”
The 2009 champion is excited by the challenges which the new rules present, but he’s wary of how well the cars will handle.
“No one knows how they will perform until the first race next year,” he added.
“It is going to be tricky because we do have a lot more torque with the engine but there will be a lot less downforce as there will be no [exhaust] blowing. I don’t care what they say, there is still a massive amount of blowing on an F1 car.
“It is going to be very tough to get to grips with it,” he admitted. “There is a lot to learn for all of us, even the experienced drivers, and it is exciting.”
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