Fernando Alonso believes F1’s switch to Pirelli tyres is "not good for the big teams".
There have been widespread complaints about the severe degradation of the 2011-specification products supplied by the sport’s new official supplier.
"There will be lots of pitstops," said the Ferrari driver at a sponsor event in Madrid, according to the Spanish press.
"There will be three or four (pitstops per race) and that’s not good for the big teams," Alonso added.
"It mixes the situation, just as in football if there was a penalty each half hour, Barcelona and Real Madrid would not be happy. If it’s better for anybody, it’s the small teams," he said.
The Spaniard would not, however, be drawn on the likely pecking order for the first race of the season.
"In other years you could have a slight idea," he explained. "But with so many elements and variables to take into account now - moving wings, tyres and KERS - it is virtually impossible to know.
"What we do know is that our car is reliable and that we are happy with it, but not whether it is faster or slower than the others."
Asked which teams have made the most progress since 2010, Alonso answered: "Renault and Toro Rosso."