Mark Webber believes rapidly degrading tyres and overtaking aids like DRS detract from the appeal of Formula One rather than add to it.
When Pirelli arrived in the sport in 2011 they were tasked with replicating the 2010 Canadian Grand Prix in which the Bridgestone tyres suffered an unusually high level of tyre degradation. The result was multiple pit stops during most races and the chance for drivers on fresher tyres to attack those on older tyres.
Along with the introduction of the drag reduction system (DRS) - a moveable flap in the rear wing to allow chasing cars to run at faster speeds on straights - the new Pirelli era of Formula One resulted in more overtaking. However, Webber believes it has become too easy for drivers to pass and the emphasis on "saving" tyres means they no longer push during races.
"If you look at sports like football or tennis at an elite level, there hasn't been a huge amount of change," Webber told F1i.com. "If you make the goals bigger in football is Messi happier? Probably not, because he has the ability. Unfortunately, people now expect to see 20 passing moves per grand prix, it's sort of standard now. I think we could do with racing with less overtaking and better quality across the board. It's absolutely not the drivers' problem, it's just that's what they're having to deal with.
"I'm talking on behalf of the drivers at the front of the grid because they can't say what they really feel. But I'm talking to them now. I'd love someone to do a stat on race pace with the 2015 race compared to the mid-2000s - probably Montoya would have lapped Seb in Malaysia three and a half times! But people aren't looking at this. In the past, the limitation over the back part of the track in Malaysia used to be balls and how fit you were. Now its 'save your tyres.'"
Webber believes the added complexity is turning people off the sport.
"There are certain things going on and we seem to have to tell everyone what we are doing with the technical and sporting regs and what's happening. Why not just get on with things? There is no need to wash your laundry in public. The end result is what it is. You don't need to try and explain everything. Most people I talk to are intimidated by what DRS is, what the softs and supersofts are, they feel they can't just turn on the TV and understand what they are watching."