Zoom Plenty of unknowns for the 2009 season

Car reliability will take a hit when sweeping new regulations come into effect next year.

That is the opinion of Australian driver Mark Webber, when referring to the incoming slick tyres, KERS systems and major aerodynamic changes, like moveable wings and the ban on appendages.

"I think we're going to have cars that are unreliable at the start of the year," said the 31-year-old, who drives for Red Bull.

"We're going to have a long winter testing programme in front of us. The cars are going to need a lot of sorting because there's so much new stuff," he added, after watching his countryman Casey Stoner win the MotoGP race at Phillip Island.

"The regulations have been stable for the last four or five years but we've got such a new slate next year and that's going to be the challenge for the teams," Webber told the Melbourne newspaper The Age.

He also said the regulations may open the door to a competitive shakeup on the grid.

"No one knows who's going to have the best package," Webber admitted.

Source: GMM
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