Coulthard: TC loss not significant

That is the view of David Coulthard who, after testing, has no doubts about how different things will be on the back of the introduction of the standard ECU in Formula One following the first tests in December.

Although much of the focus has been on the impact that a ban on traction control will make, Coulthard actually thinks that being without engine braking will be much harder to deal with.

And that means drivers are far more likely to make mistakes on the entry to corners, which could increase the chances of overtaking and closer racing.

"The biggest difference will not be traction control, it will be on the other electronic aids that we lose," said Coulthard on stage at the Autosport International Show about what he was expecting from 2008.

"That will affect the car on the entry to the corner, so I expect to see more locking up and more running wide on the entry to corners. That will affect the lap time more than the traction control."

Coulthard believes that the design of modern tyres and the aerodynamic sensitivity of cars are the factors in limiting the impact of a traction control ban.

"I think the traction control, a lot is made of it, but in actual fact with or without it, that is what you do as a driver," he said. "You instinctively make a decision as to how much road you have available on the exit of a corner, whether you have TC or not.

"You want to put as much power as you can through the tyres and onto the race track. So the way the modern F1 car is with radial tyres and aero being so sensitive, you are never going to see huge power slides. It is not a rally car which can go quick sideways. F1 sideways is slow, so I think that won't make a big difference.

"Of course without TC we will see higher tyre wear and the temperature of the rear tyres will be much harder to manage.

"It is easier for an electronic system to maintain the rear wheel slip than it is for a driver, because there will always be a little bit of wheelspin, but with the new single make tyre formula that we have with Bridgestone tyres I don't expect that we will ever be tyre limited to finish a Grand Prix.

"Bridgestone have already won the world championship for 2008 so they don't have to make a tyre that is marginal. They just need to make a tyre that is safe and can supply easily to each of the teams."