Schumacher: No 'night and day' difference between old and new-spec cars

Mick Schumacher says F1's 2022 cars are requiring drivers to "readapt", but the Haas charger doesn't feel that his new mount is significantly different from last year's car.

Wholesale changes to F1's technical regulations have led to teams fielding all-new designs this season that drivers sampled for the first time in the F1's first leg of pre-season testing in Barcelona.

Grand Prix racing's new machines were given a thumbs up by drivers at the Circuit de Catalunya, but Schumacher downplayed the contrast between F1's new machines and the previous generation of cars in terms of handling.

"I wouldn't call it night and day," Schumacher said. "We still go in circles and quick!

"I think overall, without going too much into detail, we have to readapt."

Regarding the adaptation process, the 22-year-old believes the new cars are requiring a different approach, and the faster one understands the intricacies of the new designs, the better.

"We have to analyse things differently and probably approach things differently," he said.

"There will be different concerns compared to last year, and it's just about a matter of being one of the quicker drivers to analyse them and understand them so that you, at the end, have the tools you need to survive the race the right way."

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In Barcelona, several drivers, including Schumacher, commented on the bulky nature of F1's new cars, a direct result of the increase of their minimum weight which now stands at 795kg, excluding fuel.

"I think that the main thing is the weight," said the Haas driver. "Obviously that plays a role in nearly every corner - mostly low-speed corners, though.

"But, overall, I do enjoy driving these cars. I think the initial thought is positive."

F1 teams will resume their preparations for F1's 2022 season this week in Bahrain, with three additional days of testing, starting on Thursday.

Haas in particular will be hoping for a trouble-free series of sessions after encountering multiple issues in Spain last time out.

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