'09 rules maybe not enough - Purnell

Nov.12 (GMM) A leading figure at F1's governing body suspects the incoming radical aerodynamic changes in 2009 will not increase overtaking.

Tony Purnell, the former Jaguar team boss who is now the FIA's technical consultant, said he doubts the rule changes will achieve their target of reducing downforce by half.

"The F1 jungle drums tell me the cars are going to have much more downforce than (that)," he told Racecar Engineering Magazine, "and I suspect that may mean the aero rules do little for racing."

On the advice of the Technical Working Group, comprised of F1 teams' leading technical minds, the FIA ratified drastic changes to the aerodynamic rules for 2009.

But Purnell suspects that, rather than 50 per cent, the rules will only cut downforce by 20 or 30 per cent.

"I suspect that may mean the aero rules do little for racing," he said, warning that if that is so, the FIA will act again.

Purnell said: "If it needs a re-think, then it needs a re-think."