Nick Heidfeld suspects the sweeping new aerodynamic regulations for 2009 have succeeded in making Formula One cars easier to pass.

Many observers have expressed reservations about this year's single seaters; not only their questionable aesthetics but about whether the Overtaking Working Group's agreed changes to the bodywork rules have actually worked.

But after running alongside the new Ferrari and Toyota contenders in Bahrain last week, 31-year-old Heidfeld said he could feel the changes in effect at the wheel of his BMW Sauber F1.09.

"I finally got a chance to actually tail another car," the German explained to his website.

He said the new cars are easier to follow closely and "this should certainly make overtaking a lot simpler."

"I'm hoping that this suspicion will be confirmed over the weeks to come," Heidfeld added.

The veteran of 153 Grand Prix will return to action at the Jerez tests early in March.