Nick Heidfeld won’t be the last Formula One racer to say that overtaking will be ‘a lot simpler’ in the 2009 season.

Although aerodynamic regulations have been altered over the offseason, producing what has been called the ugliest cars ever seen in an F1 race as a result, test drivers were left doubting whether the new designs would promote more overtaking and give the race viewers more to cheer about in the course of a grand prix.

However, BMW-Sauver driver Heidfeld has revealed that he has changed his opinion after some practice in Bahrain, and predicts that racers will be able to narrow the gap between each other on the track, thereby producing a more thrilling race.

"This week, I finally got a chance to actually tail another car," the German said in an interview. "In Valencia, all the test runs were solo. I have the impression that the new aerodynamics are going to make it easier to close in on the driver ahead, just as we had hoped."

"This should certainly make overtaking a lot simpler. I'm hoping that this suspicion will be confirmed over the weeks to come."

Though he did not test the cars in the first week at Sakhir, Heidfeld highlighted that the three days he spent behind the wheel of the Munich and Hinwil-based concern's F1.09 as extremely fruitful, even though he was still irritated by some minor technical glitches.

"We managed to clock up a total of almost 3,700km in Bahrain and, in the process, gather some vital data," the 31-year-old added. "On the days when it was my turn to sit behind the wheel, I had perfect weather conditions and we were spared the sandstorms that had been blowing up the week before we arrived."

"We had some minor mechanical problems that cost us some time that would have been better spent out on the track, [but] as I already reported from Valencia, the car is responding to changes in the set-up just as we had hoped," Heidfeld continued. "We now have plenty of data on the effect of these adjustments. I'm also very happy with the balance of the car. On Thursday, I had the opportunity to put in some long runs - these were quite promising. We've also made good progress on KERS."

"Testing this time round has been so much more fun because there are so many new developments to keep up with and I'm learning a lot about the new elements. I'm having to adapt my driving style, which partly involves experimentation but also to some extent happens automatically."

"You're always finding new, hidden potential and that's what makes testing so enjoyable. Now I'm looking forward to the next tests at Jerez early in March."