F1 rules have slowed aero development - Newey

Restrictive rules have slowed the pace of aerodynamic development in formula one.

Frustrated aerodynamics ’genius’ Adrian Newey told Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport that the era of making giant mid-season strides with innovative ideas appears to be over.

"Look at the upgrades of the first six races," the Briton is quoted as saying. "Much less than last year, and most of it was just cosmetic.

"We are looking at details like the ’monkey seat’ because the regulations give us less and less room to move," added Newey.

The FIA’s technical delegate Joe Bauer confirmed: "We have never seen so little crash testing."

Nonetheless, Ferrari is debuting a substantially upgraded 2014 car this weekend in Canada.

Italy’s Autosprint magazine said so much has changed that the car could aptly be named the F14-T’s ’B’ version.

"We can’t make predictions," said Fernando Alonso, "because our improvement has to be seen in relation to what our competitors come up with.

"We need to match them and then find a plus," he added ahead of the Canadian grand prix.