[JAG]

Didn't Jan Lammers and Wallace say they reduced the wing on the car quite a bit in order to keep the straight line speed up.

So in effect the cars were just as quick on the straights in 2003 but with even less downforce, and therefore less stable/safe, totally the opposite to what the 10% restrictor cut was supposed to achieve.

In 2004 the cars will have 10% power back and as the new regs cut overall downforce, the cars will presumably be running as much downforce as possible/maybe even more than in 2003, in order to be quick on the twisty sections. The 10% more power would mean no top speed problems on the straights.

With the new 2004 tunnels under the car it dosen't really matter how quick the cars are on the straight as the tunnels will keep the cars glued to the track. In the Group C days it was only when cars reached the 230MPH mark that they became unstable and liable to flip, even with tunnels.

With the chicnaes max speeds will only be around 205-210mph and the cars will be more concerned with generating as much downforce as possible to be quick throught the corners,as the extra power will overcome the extra drag created.

It could be argued the 2003 cars were the most dangerous in recent years will even less downforece/stability, yet the same straightline speed.

Thank God the ACO/FIA hae now realised cutting power is not the answer to slower and safer cars.