Fernando Alonso has distanced himself from some drivers’ fears that the ban on traction control is set to make formula one more dangerous.
David Coulthard has been the most vocally opposed to taking away driver aids that make racing in conditions like last year’s Japanese grand prix safer.
The Scot had told Autosport magazine: “Fernando Alonso aquaplaned off the road (at Fuji) — even with traction control.”
But even though the Spaniard was used as Coulthard’s example, double world champion Alonso did not mention safety when he was asked about driving without sophisticated electronic aids this year.
“The car is not radically different,” he said at Jerez after testing without traction control on Tuesday for the first time since 2001.
“It’s about the driver finding his limits and adapting his driving style.
“That is what you are going to have to do at the beginning of the season, but I am convinced that after two or three races, we will have completely forgotten how it was to drive with driver aids,” Alonso added.
“With the new regulations, we will work in the same way and I believe it will be down to the driver to adapt accordingly.”
