Felipe Massa has hit back at suggestions driving a formula one car today is "easy".
It is suggested the sport is pushing ahead with plans for more powerful engines and faster chassis regulations for 2017 or 2018 because the actual challenge for the drivers has become diminished in recent years.
But Massa, who has driven across F1’s V10, V8 and now V6 eras, said: "When we had refuelling we were faster because the cars were lighter, but I don’t think the cars are therefore easier to drive now.
"I think it’s just different," said the Brazilian.
Massa said it is too simplistic for pundits and fans to compare laptimes between the past and present and come to conclusions about what the cars are like to drive.
"They say it is now ridiculously easy to drive a formula one car," he said, "but I’m sure that an experienced guy would have problems in these cars.
"If you ask me if I’d like a faster car with more downforce, then of course," Massa continued. "But I don’t think that would necessarily make it more difficult. Physically maybe yes, but the car would not be more difficult to drive."