Alonso wants flat-out races

The sport's governing body has insisted that lap times will be increased in future, either through long-life engines or more radical changes to the cars, such as smaller engines and reductions in downforce. Alonso says it is important that the sport retains its flat-out-from-start-to-finish appeal, however.

"It is better to always push - I prefer an attacking style of racing to something more conservative," said Alonso. "I think the fans watching on TV enjoy pit stops, and like seeing the whole team working to change tyres and fuel the car in just four or five seconds.

"We cannot lose all of that, because it would lose what the fans find exciting. But we will be pushing hard, whatever the situation. Our job will still be to find the limit and stay there. We want a safe Formula 1, but also an exciting show."

Team-mate Jarno Trulli, one of the most outspoken of the drivers on the subject added: "As drivers, we have raised the problem that the cars will soon become too fast, and the FIA and the teams have responded. But this is not the time to be complaining about changes: we have to wait and see until we drive them, and then we can see if we have gone in the right direction. As racing drivers, though, we will deal with the car we have.

"We will be going slower, but I don't think the car will feel much different. However, we expect to be carrying heavier fuel loads, which will mean longer braking distances. That may help overtaking."