Webber: drivers must think more

Although there had been fears when the rule was first proposed that the lack of grip with the long-life tyres would make it virtually impossible to overtake, after weeks of testing it now appears that passing opportunities could become more common as mistakes will be easier to make in the closing stages of races.

And that is why Webber is adamant that the new rules will means drivers will have to think more about their strategy in the race rather than just driving flat-out for the entire grand prix distance.

"It is going to be a different type of mentality from the drivers - both in terms of how you approach qualifying and the race," said Webber. "You cannot afford to go down the inside of corners with your tyres locked up just to make up two places, because then you will have no tyres left.

"You are going to have to use a bit of grey matter and the races this year will not be over until they are over. In the past they tended to stabilise a bit after a certain stage, but now there will be lots of pressure all the way through."

Webber's feelings about the way races will develop have been backed up by former grand prix driver Eddie Irvine - who also believes that the deteriorating condition of tyres during races will be a catalyst for excitement.

"I think it is good that the tyres will deteriorate because that makes it harder to drive and you will make more mistakes," he said. "But then again, while you have got traction control it makes life and the races a bit too easy - I think they should have done away with it."