Two Time world champion Fernando Alonso has given Formula One's controversial new rules a big tick and predicts a new era for the sport.
Alonso says strategy off the track will be key this season and has downplayed the importance of qualifying.
The Ferrari ace believes that with drivers needing to manage both quick-wearing tyres and new controls for aerodynamic and energy recovery systems, they will be busier than ever.
But, unlike many drivers who have panned the new regulations because they over-complicate their job, Alonso has no issue with the rules.
For sure it is a new way of doing the races in terms of the strategy so let's say a new Formula One is starting here in Melbourne," Alonso said.
"I think everyone will have a different opinion but in my case I don't think there is a particular problem with the new rules or the things we need to do with the steering wheel.
"They are a part of our job, we are professional drivers and we need to understand between us and our teams the most comfortable way of using the new things.
"If you have no time to do all the things on the steering wheel, you don't do it, it's not a mandatory thing."
He has urged his rivals to embrace the technology, reassuring them it will become easier to work with each race.
"It will take time but we did a lot of mileage in winter and I can say that for (teammate) Felipe (Massa) and me we will get used to the new things and it will come automatically corner after corner.
"I don't see any particular problem or anything to discuss in the near future," he said.
"We need to learn from here. This is a new one and we need to be very focused, very concentrated on the strategy because I think it can play a big part of the race result.
"On the other hand, maybe qualifying on Saturday has a little bit less value compared to last year because on Sunday there will be more factors on the track."
Mark Webber is more pessimistic about how the rules will improve the on-track action.
"I think for racing it's not too bad," Webber said.
"We have to see how the (new moveable rear) wing will go in terms of overtaking for the show.
"I'm a little bit surprised that we have everything at our disposal for qualifying because it doesn't really add to the show and doesn't add to overtaking because obviously it's not that type of session.
"For us to have to get used to the overload, it's an added bit of tummy-tapping head-rubbing sort of multi-tasking which is a fraction unnecessary for qualifying.
"For the race we need to see how it's going to work because we're going to use it a lot less in the race.
"In qualifying we're using it every single time so it's pretty busy but I'm up for a challenge."
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