Lewis Hamilton hopes a bunch of rule changes will add to the spectacle of Sunday’s Australian Formula One Grand Prix, but the reigning world champion isn’t holding his breath.

Teams will be limited in what they can say to drivers over the radio immediately before and during the season-opening race, and will have more tyre options at their disposal.

Hamilton, who will start from pole position, said the changes to radio communications meant a lot more studying for the drivers to memorise strategies.

“We can’t be told if the strategy is changing throughout the race, so you kind of have to anticipate what happens,” the Mercedes driver said.

“I’m excited. I think it’s a new thing. We’re all in the same boat.

“I hope that it adds to the spectacle – I highly doubt it, but we shall see.”

Teammate Nico Rosberg qualified second fastest on Saturday for a spot on the front row alongside Hamilton.

Having played second fiddle the past two seasons, the German is keen to get an edge on the Briton this year and sees the new rules as an opportunity.

“For sure, because there are going to be more unknowns in the race,” Rosberg said.

“If Lewis gets a start, after that, if they have to change his strategy because of traffic behind or something, that he’s going to drop out into, he won’t know about it.

“So … there’s scenarios where you can lose out quite a lot.

“And, of course, starting second, I like that. It increases the chances, you know?”

Australian Daniel Ricciardo will start from eighth on the grid, one spot behind where he began last year’s race.