The 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix winner also spoke positively on the subject of the key regulation changes for the forthcoming campaign – most prominently the ban on electronic driver aids such as traction control – predicting the races would become more exciting to both watch and compete in, and foreseeing no problems with excessive rear tyre wear, a qualm that has been raised by a number of drivers and teams in the run-up to the season.
“For me it doesn't really make a big difference,” he asserted. “I've always been very gradual with the throttle pedal. The only thing it does mean is that we have to work very hard on the engine driveability and torque curve, and so many little things that you don't realise are going to be an issue until you drive without traction control.
“These engines were built to have traction control and we've improved ours' a lot already, but there's still a lot of work to be done to be 100 per cent happy. You think it will all be down to the driver now, but it's not all down to our right foot; it's also about working with the engine people to improve the engine and make it more driveable.
“[So far] we haven't seen a big issue with tyre wear or tyre overheating – and the RA107 was not an easy car on tyres – but for sure it does change the average temperature of the rears compared to the fronts. We haven't driven anywhere hot yet, though, so we have to wait and see. I think the quicker cars are going to be better on tyres because they've got the downforce and don't have to slide the tyres so much, but we've just got to hope we can look after the tyres too.
