Fernando Alonso has played down suggestions the ban on refuelling for 2010
will force drivers to dramatically alter their driving styles.
Because the cars will have to carry enough fuel for the entire race
distance next year, the weight of the cars at the start and the end of
grands prix will be dramatically different.
It has been suggested that drivers will therefore need to drive more
strategically, by putting more attention into managing the use of fuel and
tyres.
But 2005 and 2006 world champion Alonso, who will be Felipe Massa's
Ferrari teammate next year, said: "I do not believe it (the refuelling
ban) is going to be decisive or change the races very much."
In quotes published by Spain's Marca from a Santander event in Madrid, the
28-year-old Spaniard acknowledged that the tyres will be more stressed when
the fuel weights are high.
"The important thing will be to look after them in the first 10 or 15
laps, the first stint," said Alonso.
"But just because of that I don't believe the driving styles are going to
change too much," he added.
