With less that three weeks to go before the start of the 2005 season, people are finally beginning to wake up to the fact that the regulations - not for the first time - leave a certain number of 'grey areas', loopholes which teams are sure to try and exploit to the full.

In the past we have witnessed the FIA being run ragged as it tried, and failed, to police such as issues as illegal software. Formula One technology has moved on in leaps and bounds and in most cases computer boffins outnumber mechanics.

However it is not just IT where the FIA is going to have its work cut out in the coming season.

Much has been made of the possibility that a driver may choose to 'detonate' his engine in the closing stages of a race, thereby using a loophole that would allow him to use a fresh engine in the next event. This would be beneficial to drivers who, due to one reason or another, are aware that their chances of scoring serious points have been compromised following a poor start, an off, or some other such reason.

Max Mosley has said that he is fully aware that there is such a loophole but that the FIA will be watching and will ensure that teams do not take advantage.

However, there are other ways around this and many other loopholes brought about by the new regulations.

A driver, rather than detonate his engine, could elect to retire simply to save his current engine and use it in the next race. The 'retirement' could be due to any number of reasons, all of them almost impossible to prove.

Furthermore, the contentious issue of tyres and punctures could also easily be exploited, and it remains to be seen who will take advantage of the rule whereby you 'fear you have a puncture' and how the FIA will police it.

As we saw at Silverstone last year, when Michael Schumacher span his car on his qualifying lap, the strategists and boffins are fully on the ball. No doubt they are already working through a number of scenarios for '05.

Sadly, when teams do start exploiting the loopholes, F1's, already dented, image will suffer yet again.