Nico Rosberg has contradicted claims by Williams performance chief Rob Smedley regarding the new start procedure which will be implemented at the Belgian Grand Prix.
The new rule limits what information a driver’s engineer can pass down whilst also putting the driver in control of their clutch settings at the start of a race.
Smedley claimed the rule change would make little difference, but Rosberg believes it will have a significant impact with the possibility of gaining an advantage over his rivals.
“It’s going to be a challenge, it really is, because up to now it was so controlled by the engineers, who were doing the settings and everything,” he explained.
“Now, to be completely on your own, it’s a big change, so it will be interesting.”
Rosberg and team-mate Lewis Hamilton both endured poor getaways at the British GP which allowed the two Williams cars through. This rule change could see that happening more often according to the German.
“More of that will happen, because there will be more variables and it will be more difficult to predict.
“I like it because it gives me the opportunity to try and beat Lewis in that area,” he added.
“Whereas until now it’s difficult because it was not really in the driver’s hands.”
