Mat Coch writes:

Two of the sports biggest names sit on opposing sides of the fence over the 2011 aerodynamic regulations. Rubens Barrichello and his former Ferrari teammate Michael Schumacher disagree over the introduction of adjustable rear wings, the Brazilian concerned from a safety perspective while the German seems less perturbed.

Due to be introduced for next season is a driver controlled adjustable rear wing. Intended to give the drivers less aerodynamic drag it's hoped the device will increase overtaking opportunities and thereby help improve the 'show.' The rear wing would be adopted in conjunction with the return of KERS, the energy recovery system, giving drivers a momentary increase in performance.

Barrichello believes the two devices will increase the workload within the cockpit, increasing the chances of an accident as driver's being preoccupied with making adjustments to the car. Schumacher, along with Barrichello lone of the most experienced drivers in Formula One history, disagrees.

Barrichello, chairman of the GPDA, has concerns over the number of controls the drivers will be expected to adjust from the steering wheel. "As GDPA chairman we have said already that we are concerned about the number of buttons we will have to press," he says.

"You have gears to change, you have KERS, you have rear wings, you have radios, you have diffs. You have plenty of things and possibly you're going to be pressing KERS and the rear wing at the same time."

Throughout the 2010 season drivers have had the ability to adjust the front wing, though regulation changes for 2011 see that device removed and replaced by an adjustable rear wing. The two don't cancel one another out however, according to Barrichello, who claims drivers will be using both KERS and the rear wing controls on almost every straight.

"It depends how many times they allow you to press, but at least whenever they allow you to do it you're going to do it at the same time as the KERS," the Brazilian explained. "In a wet race we have some concerns about that. Of course they made a good thing, and I don't know if it's a decision or not, in the wet we may not be using the rear, so already it's a step forward."

Schumacher disagrees, and believes the banning of F-ducts and the introduction of a button the steering wheel is a safer solution. "Pushing a button for KERS or rear wing is pretty much straight forward," the German contends. "I think it will be safer, especially if you look at today's solution for some of the drivers with F-ducts, moving their hands off the steering wheel."