BMW Sauber driver Nick Heidfeld says overtaking in Formula One will become more difficult in 2007 when all eleven teams will use the same Bridgestone tyres.

Although the FIA announced earlier in the year that F1 would run with a single tyre supplier from 2008, the announcement led to Michelin withdrawing from Formula One at the end of the current season – leaving Bridgestone as the sole supplier a year earlier than expected.

With that in mind, Heidfeld said he felt overtaking could become more difficult when the new season gets underway in Australia in March, with the advantage some would have enjoyed due to a superior tyre being eradicated by the fact that all 22 drivers will be running on the same rubber.

“Overtaking always used to be difficult in Formula One and I think its going to remain difficult,” he said. “When you've got different tyres, it's more probable that the cars will take different turns at different speeds. In consideration of this fact, I expect the overtaking to become slightly more difficult.

“However I believe that overtaking is just one of numerous factors that make Formula One that thrilling. In 2006, the battles for the title and – when it comes to our team – positions in the constructors' championship turned out to be extremely close. There was no reason to complain about a lack of excitement.”