Renault's chief race engineer Alan Permane believes that the new-for-2010 Silverstone Grand Prix circuit layout will have a higher average speed than its predecessor, with the time drivers spend on full throttle having also increased.
Speaking on the team's official website with regard to the data Renault has collated ahead of the event, Permane said: "In terms of downforce levels, it's difficult to make a comparison with last year because the car has evolved so much, but we're not expecting a massive change to the setup.
"Our simulations show the average speed will be slightly higher at 230 km/h compared to 227 km/h in 2009, and the percentage of the lap spent at full throttle has also increased from 69 percent to 70 percent."
Permane added that he believed the new Arrowhead section could introduce new overtaking opportunities for the Formula 1 cars, concurring with David Coulthard's assessment that Brooklands might provide a hot spot into the overtaking zone.
"On paper it certainly looks like there could be a couple of overtaking opportunities," said Permane. "Turn 16 is a good opportunity because there is a long drag from the low-speed Turn 14, and Turn 15 will be taken easily flat-out. Turn 13 is also a possibility for overtaking, but it will depend how closely the cars can follow each other through Turn 11 because Turn 12 will be another flat-out corner."
The new Abbey meanwhile could now rival Copse as the most spectacular corner on the track, Permane believes.
"We expect Turn 11 to be flat-out on low fuel, but far more challenging with a heavy car," he said.