Thursday 20 March at 11:28 : Michael Schumacher has slammed F1's new safety car rules, arguing that they punish innocent drivers while unfairly benefiting others.

The seven time world champion derided the mandatory closing of the pitlane upon deployment of the safety car as "moronic", in an interview with the German magazine Auto Motor und Sport.

Having watched the Australian grand prix from his Swiss home, the Ferrari advisor said: "I saw Kovalainen drive a perfect race but lose a podium because the safety car went onto the track at an unfavourable moment for him."

Another driver notably affected by the rule in Melbourne was Rubens Barrichello, who was out of fuel at the deployment of a SC period and therefore punished when he illegally entered and exited the pitlane.

"In my opinion this is not a good rule," Schumacher said.

The mandatory closing of the pit lane was introduced so that drivers do not unsafely speed around the circuit to rush a pitstop at the beginning of a SC period.

But Schumacher thinks there are better ways to police such speedy drivers.

"For example you could determine with the sector times whether a driver was going too fast," he said.

"With these rules, sheer coincidence plays too big a role for my liking," Schumacher added.