Team chiefs urge calm over 'boring' F1 focus

Team principals yesterday called for a rational debate over fears that spectators are losing interest in Formula One ahead of this weekend's Australian Grand Prix.

Leading drivers were critical of the new rules in the wake of season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix a fortnight ago, complaining about boring racing and a lack of overtaking opportunities around the Sakhir circuit.

There were calls for immediate changes to the rules – this season is the first since 1993 to see refuelling banned – to brighten up the show. But Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali said it was better to gauge the outcome of a number of early season races before rushing off on urgent corrective measures.

"I don't advocate any urgent measures before a good period of analysis at least," Domenicali told reporters.

"Too many times in Formula One we have done something too quickly, an emotional push, so it's better to stay cool."

Domenicali said it would be better for the sport as a whole to concentrate on the positive aspects rather than dwell on the negative after just one race into the 19-race season. "I think it's better to focus on the positive things of this year, that is the fact that we have teams that are very close," he said.

"A lot of drivers can be champion and I think that, as Formula One, we should promote our situation.