25.07.2004 In light of the new F1 regulations recently proposed by the FIA, which look increasing likely to be accepted for next year, Ferrari have scrapped existing work on their 2005 car

In light of the new F1 regulations proposed by the FIA prior to the French Grand Prix, which look increasing likely to be accepted for next year, Ferrari have scrapped work on their 2005 car.

"We have had to stop gearbox design and have put a hold on some of the chassis design," said Ferrari Technical Director Ross Brawn at Hockenheim.

"The engine that we were making has been stopped and we are now going to keep the same engine because of the requirement for it to last for two races.

Ross Brawn revealed that the new regulations, could see Ferrari kicking off the 2005 with a revised version of this year's ultra-successful, F2004 chassis.

"The rule changes have had quite an impact and a lot of teams will be looking at taking their old cars to the first few races. It is a big compromise but you have to design a car for next year that is good over 19 races.

"I think it will be a struggle for teams to do a really good job for the first race of the season and I think a lot of teams will choose to have a compromise for the first few races to do a better job for the subsequent races.

"Particularly if we have 19 races on the calendar then if you do the first four races with your old car you still have fifteen races to take advantage of the extra time."

Brawn revealed that Ferrari are already formulating plans based around the new regulations, and that with the driver's and construction's titles almost in the bag, next year would no be the focus of attention. This year would only see improvements to the F2004 chassis coming from continuing Bridgestone tyre developments and a small engine step in the pipeline.

The Englishman accepted the need to slow the cars down, and believes that the proposals will satisfy FIA President Max Mosely's target of a reduction in downforce of up to 30%. "The FIA have been asking us for a couple of years to come forward with proposals to slow the car and, of course, generally we like to see the cars go fast so it is not our priority to slow them down," said Brawn, accepting that the F1 teams had not acted together themselves to curb rising speeds.

"We have only got ourselves to blame because we didn't respond early enough and what we have now is what you always have as a consequence of making rule changes that late."

He was also happy to accept that the rule changes may well inject some badly needed excitement into F1. "Some people feel it is a good thing to shake things up and cause a little bit of chaos. It is no bad thing because it may change the natural order of things.

"We accept the changes are necessary and we look upon it as a new challenge and a new set of rules we have to build the best car to. Our people are now working hard on the proposed new regulations."