Head of motorsport at Pirelli Paul Hembery is confident that lap times next season could be five seconds a lap faster in Formula 1's new era.
For 2017, their is a major aerodynamic overhaul with much more downforce being added to the cars, and wider fatter tyres by Pirelli being introduced, all of which is expected to drop the lap times.
Speaking at Pirelli's official launch in Turin, Hembery said: "I'm curious to see the designs of the cars because the look and feel will be different, more aggressive that's for sure. The simulations suggest five seconds [quicker] compared to Barcelona two years ago, so it really is a big thing.
"Melbourne will really start showing the changes, the improvements. We too are not really sure where we are with the tyres [until testing], which is the same for the teams."
Pirelli revealed the look of the new tyres at the 2016 Monaco Grand Prix, with the width of the front tyres 305mm compared to 245mm of 2016, and the rears are now 405mm in contrast to 325mm last year.
Fergal Walsh
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