Brundle: New cars will be 'a monster' to drive

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Martin Brundle, the man who just told us that he suffered a mild heart attack at Monaco last year, thinks that drivers' hearts may be pumping hard this year because the new cars will be 'a monster ' to drive'.

Speaking at Autosport International yesterday is looking forward to drivers dealing with the new mix of extra downforce and grip levels, coupled with the huge power and torque delivered by the hybrid engines.

Brundle warned however that higip and less degradation, as engineered by Pirelli, may not be a good recipe for helping overtaking.

"It’s certainly going to be different, the cars are going to be brutal,” said Brundle.

"In theory, I think we’ve gone the wrong way in terms of making the racing better. You hear some stories that some corners will be reclassified as straights.

"I remember driving the Red Bull it had the blown diffuser. That thing didn’t move in a lot of corners either; easy full throttle."

Brundle suffered on-air heart attack at Monaco!

Taking into account the combined effects of improved grip and the qualities of today's power units, Brundle explained why he has his doubts as the whether the racing will be any better under the new regulations.

"With the amount of power and torque the [current] cars have got – although they don’t sound very good – I’ve driven the Mercedes, Force India and Ferrari now.

"They are amazing engines to drive; endless amounts of power – even though they sound rubbish."

"Put that into a car with a lot more downforce and 25 percent bigger tyres – the whole thing is 11 percent wider – it is going to be a monster to drive. Whether it makes better racing or not, we’ll find out.

"The braking distances will be shorter too. More grip means they might be braking four or five metres later. That means you have less opportunity to overtake.

"The key this is: Can they follow each other? That will be the absolute litmus test of how it works this year."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.