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Kobayashi unsure on gizmos, says tyres will boost show

Kamui Kobayashi has doubts about the adjustable rear wing and KERS © Sutton Images

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• Drivers:
• Kamui Kobayashi

• Teams:
• Alfa Romeo

Kamui Kobayashi is not convinced the return of KERS and the introduction of moveable rear wings will have a dramatic effect on the quality of racing this season, but is expecting the new Pirelli tyres to make Sunday afternoons more exciting.

KERS, which offers drivers a power boost by harvesting power from the rear axle and storing it, has been adopted by all but the teams bar Lotus, Virgin and HRT, while the moveable rear wing, which is designed to offer an advantage by reducing drag, will be on all the cars. Both will be free to use during practice and qualifying, but in the race the rear wing will be restricted to drivers within one second of the car in front and on a single designated 600-metre section of the circuit's longest straight.

When asked if the changes will result in a lot more overtaking, Kobayashi said: "At the moment I guess so. Although I don't believe the KERS will help because almost everybody has it. So it is only the rear wing and I'm not sure if the idea for the races of the one second gap to the car in front will really work."

Kobayashi was one of the most entertaining drivers to watch in 2010 because of his aggressive overtaking moves, but believes that could be worth less this season.

"Maybe yes," he said. "Especially in case it turns out overtaking really becomes much easier for everyone. But this is nothing to worry about because it is part of the rules."

Some drivers have complained that the new cars are overcomplicated and the button-littered steering wheels will distract from driving, but Kobayashi is confident they will learn to cope.

"The most important question is how you can improve lap times with the new systems and by how much. I am working to get used to the new systems. It is a driver task and people who are using it well will have an advantage compared to those who are using it less efficiently. It is a matter of concentration, that is true. I can definitely manage that. Regarding all the talk - well, we are race drivers and complaining sometimes can be part of the business."

However, he is confident the new tyres will produce exciting races by mixing up strategy.

"First of all I think Pirelli has done a good job within a short period of time," he said. "The outcome are tyres which are different in almost every aspect compared to what we have been used to. The grip level is lower, the tyres don't last as long, and once you overdrive them the drop is dramatic and can be five seconds per lap. But these characteristics didn't occur by accident and they will produce a lot pit stops and exciting races."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.