Lotus flattered by Newey’s interest in 2013 car

In Malaysia on Friday, Mark Webber was not the only top driver groaning about the overwhelmingly dominant factor in the paddock at present.

"Tyres, tyres, tyres, tyres, tyres," the Australian said without smiling, admitting he thinks the situation is a "joke".

His Red Bull teammate Sebastian Vettel agreed that the way the heavily degrading Pirelli tyres are dictating proceedings so far in 2013 is a frustration.

"It is not a lot of fun," German news agency DPA quotes him as saying.

"It’s quite a mess when you look at how long they are lasting," the world champion added.

Another world champion, Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, recalled Michael Schumacher’s glory days, and how he used to study the style of the famous seven time world champion.

"I used to look at the onboard images and pictures and try to learn what he was doing," the Spaniard is quoted by El Confidential.

"Now it’s about what is happening with the car from corner to corner, not about who is at the wheel," added Alonso.

Less grumbling can be heard from the Lotus garage, after Kimi Raikkonen won in Australia and is being tipped to once again nurse the Pirellis to the chequered flag this weekend.

Team boss Eric Boullier admitted the interest of a keen observer on the grid in Melbourne was flattering.

"I’ll give Adrian Newey a (team) shirt if he spends that much time with our car on the grid," the Frenchman smiled to RMC Sport.

"It’s normal; it’s the name of the game that if you have some performance, other teams will try to copy you.

"If someone is interested, it is because we have done a good job," Boullier added.