Jaguar's Mark Webber believes rule changes for Formula One's 2003 season will lessen Michael Schumacher's dominance, but will not be enough to prevent the German from winning a record sixth world championship.

"I think Michael will win the championship this year, yes I do. But he won't win it nowhere near as early (with six races remaining) as he did last year," Webber told reporters in Melbourne on Friday.

The season starts at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 9 with points awarded for the top eight drivers instead of last year's leading six format.

A new qualifying system also gives drivers just one flying lap each on Saturday to secure pole position.

Schumacher triumphed in 11 of the 17 races last year and the Ferrari driver won a record-equalling fifth world title after claiming victory in eight of the first 11 races of the season.

Australia's Webber, who was fifth in his Formula One debut with Minardi in Melbourne last year, forecast a strong rivalry with his Jaguar team mate, 22-year-old Brazilian debutante Antonio Pizzonia.

"Whoever has got the same material, you want to be that tenth of a second quicker than him," the 26-year-old said.

"Michael would be disappointed if (his Ferrari team mate) Rubens (Barrichello) was ahead of him and I'd be disappointed if Antonio was ahead of me."