F1 better with freedoms, says Alonso

That is the view of former world champion Fernando Alonso, who believes that the sport is heading in the wrong direction by making the shift to standard parts - including an engine.

He thinks F1 was much better when there were totally open technical regulations - with a range of different engines, tyres and car concepts.

Speaking about what his ideal F1 would be, he said: "Going back to a few years ago. I think with the V10, and with two manufacturers for the tyres - everything was about maximum performance.

"Even when you had not a competitive car, you could arrive at one race and maybe the Michelins would be working very fine and you would be able to race. There are more changes of winners.

"Now with everything standard, all the races are won by the same cars. The fastest cars are always the fastest cars in any circuit and any condition, so it is a little bit more boring.

"And for the standard engine? I don't like it. But if it is necessary the team principals will say yes. If it is not, I don't see any point to run a standard engine because we have standard electronics, standard tyres, the aerodynamics give you a very narrow window to work in, and the engine we have now is quite standard because they give us the V-angle and the cc.

"So there is no more room to play. It (F1) will become like a GP2 category."

Discussions about standard parts have dominated paddock talk in China after the FIA announced plans to introduced a standard engine from 2010. It comes ahead of a crunch 'cost cuts' meeting in Geneva next Tuesday.