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Teams say 'too soon' to judge rules

Formula 1's leading figures think it is too early to judge the success of this season's new rules, after the moveable wing, the return of KERS and Pirelli's rubber offered glimpses of potential in the Australian Grand Prix

Although the Melbourne event was not one of the most spectacular races ever, there was plenty of overtaking throughout the field - and even dominant winner Sebastian Vettel had to get past McLaren rival Jenson Button on track to secure his win.

The new moveable wing did help produce a few passing moves on the start-finish straight, and there were varied strategies through the field that ensured the 2011 season did at least start much better than last year.

F1 teams did not expect the moveable wing to show much of its potential in Melbourne because the start-finish straight is so short, but they believe a clearer idea of how it works will emerge in Malaysia and China.

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali said: "We need to wait and see. The rear wing effect was not really so obvious - but maybe that was because the length [of the straight] was not so much, or that you could use the KERS to protect in a certain condition if you have it. We need to wait and see.

"Then also we need to understand better the situation on our side, with tyre usage, because that will affect the future strategy, the future management of the race, that is for sure."

Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner said: "We didn't run KERS, so I can't tell you about that one, but I think the tyres have worked as they have added an extra element of strategy to the race.

"The [moveable] wing here did not really contribute too much, but it is one of the shortest straights on the calendar so it is too early to pass judgement on the wing at the moment."

Ferrari's Felipe Massa, who had to defend from Jenson Button's use of the moveable wing as well as use it against Sebastien Buemi, said he was not sure how effective it had been.

"There was the chance that we were supposed to have - and if you haven't got the chance then it would have been a bit like last year," he said. "With no wing and no KERS it would have been the car like last year.

"I think the change on the wing was to improve the overtaking and in my opinion it was better than some races in the past. The KERS is something we used already, and the tyres are something a little bit different which we need to understand how to work completely."

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