Michael Schumacher has joined a number of leading drivers who are calling for a re-think on the ban on tyre warmers in 2009.

Schumacher tested the slicks for the first time with Ferrari at Barcelona on Wednesday, and added his voice to the growing chorus on the issue by saying that any decision on the matter must be taken after 'careful' consideration.

Drivers are concerned that without tyre warmers, the re-introduced slick tyres combined with the 2009 levels of downforce, do not provide enough grip when cold, leading to large differences in speed between cars already up to tyre temperature and those on out-laps.

After testing in Spain, Schumacher argued that it was a pointless rule anyway, given that all the teams already had the techonology and that it did not represent a large cost cut.

"I think they will have to rethink this approach, because everybody already has tyre blankets," he said. "We don't save anything, we don't do anything other than make it more difficult for everybody [by taking them away]."

Schumacher added that he had really enjoyed using slick tyres again, telling reporters at Barcelona that it had brought a huge element of fun back into driving a Formula 1 car.

"It was obviously interesting because they have lots of grip and they are very different," he said. "It was fun. I quite like to drive these slicks. Although obviously one subject is the tyre blankets that I think they have to think about it whether it is a good decision or not.

"I believe the general decision is a very good one for F1 to change the ratio between aerodynamic performance to mechanical performance. Meaning that you will probably see more close driving between the cars.

"You do have to think of the approach, if you want to use tyre blankets or not, because that can be crucial. We have to decide and think very carefully if this is the right approach.

"But anyway, I think it is a good step for everybody. The drivers like it, the spectators will like it, and I hope you [the media] will too."

Source: Autosport.com

i dont like the tyre blanket ban idea... cause then it will greatly favour the the person that pits last cause then they can hold up every1 behind them until there tires warm up which will take longer with the new aero rules for 2009. unlike the ppl who pit first who will struggle alot to warm the tires up and do decent times after a pitstop and will fall further behind...... plus every1 has tire blankets now so banning them now won save any money..... and its not like the teams can sell the blankets when the ban comes in cause there specialy degined to fit the size of F1 tires.....