Drivers pessimistic on overtaking chances

The long wide straights and heavy braking zones of the new circuit had prompted high hopes that the venue would create good potential for overtaking moves.

But after the initial impressions of the circuit in practice, several drivers are convinced that it will not be as easy to get past their rivals as they thought before they took to the track.

Scuderia Toro Rosso's Sebastian Vettel said: "I was following some cars in practice and I think there is a possibility to overtake, but it will be difficult. The track layout does not make things easy - it is still very hard."

Honda Racing's Rubens Barrichello added: "It is very different to what we thought initially, and I think overtaking chances here are very, very slim.

"There is no real straight, and you are always turning before you get to a real straight and a braking zone. But it's a nice layout, although quite slippery off line."

Vettel believes that there are two areas where there is a small chance of overtaking.

"After the long straight following Turn 12 and Turn 17. They are hard braking after long straight sections, so they are an opportunity but still difficult. You might be able to force it before the last corner if you are lucky, or even into Turn 2, but it will not be easy."

Although the chances of overtaking do look slim, the design of the circuit has drawn wide praise from a number of drivers.

Jenson Button said: "I like it. There are a lot of slow speed corners that are tough. Some say they are boring, but I actually enjoy them because they are all very slow and you need a lot of mechanical grip which in an F1 car is very difficult to get.

"The best part for me is when you come into the last corner because you have a very fast left-right sequence, braking down while you are still turning right and then you go left into the corner.

"It is a buzz through there and, if you can get it right, then great. That sector seems to be my best at the moment, but if you get it wrong it can be hard, as (Nico) Rosberg found out in practice."