Dennis slams rule changes

Fears: Ron Dennis finds the changes unacceptable

McLaren boss Ron Dennis has criticised the threat of race bans on drivers who block others in Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka.

Dennis fears the new ruling could damage the tactics McLaren might look to employ to as Mika Hakkinen battles it out with Ferrari's Michael Schumacher for the world title.

Speaking on the eve of the race, he said: "Our perception is that the interpretation placed on circumstances is different now to that placed in previous races."

"While in principle, we don't have a problem with any change, I think such changes should be made at the end of the season.

Clearly, it is not a change that is condusive to the possible strategy we might wish to employ tomorrow, which has proved to be acceptable in the past.

  McLaren boss Ron Dennis

"Clearly, it is not a change that is condusive to the possible strategy we might wish to employ tomorrow, which has proved to be acceptable in the past."

Teams have often used their second driver to support his team-mate, as McLaren did to good effect in last year's championship decider at Suzuka, when David Coulthard held up the Ferraris enabling Hakkinen to win his second title.

"We don't agree with it, but we have no alternative but to live with it," Dennis added.

Steward

The McLaren boss also voiced his discontent that an Italian lawyer, Roberto Causo, has been appointed as one of the three race stewards, insisting he would have a vested interest in the outcome.

If Schumacher wins or finishes two points ahead of Hakkinen he will become the Italian team's first world champion in 21 years.

"It's unsatisfactory in a race which could decide the world championship that one of the stewards is Italian," said Dennis.

He added that McLaren had raised the matter with the FIA, but had been "presented with a fait accompli".