Raikkonen: Following another car easier with new rules

Alfa Romeo's Kimi Raikkonen has joined the camp of those who believe that Formula 1's new aero rules have made it easier to race in the wake of another car.

Tweaks to the regulations this season aimed at promoting closer racing and overtaking haven't been met with a unanimous thumbs up by drivers.

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton feels the wider and simpler wing configurations have made "zero difference" in one's ability to closely follow another car, saying the situation was "still terrible".

• Brawn: Effect of new aero rules 'more apparent' in Bahrain

Red Bull's Max Verstappen equally doubted the new regulations had positively impacted the racing.

However, F1 sporting boss Ross Brawn insisted the effect of the changes was "more apparent" in Bahrain, an assessment confirmed by Raikkonen following his on-track close battle last Sunday with McLaren's Lando Norris.

"Yeah, I think it’s more close," the Finn told Motorsport.com.

"Exits are still tricky, but you can get more close on the end of the corners and stuff like that.

While snapping at the heels of a rival through a corner may have become a tad easier, Raikkonen insists that overtaking remains challenging.

"Low-speed corners we seem to still struggle, but maybe the conditions had an effect," added the 39-year-old veteran.

"We can get closer, overtaking is still difficult, but I think it gives us a bit more chance."