Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost is seemingly positive about the new regulation changes for 2017, agreeing that they could mark a return to "the good old days" in an interview with the official F1 website.
When asked if the regulations would improve the sport, and if they would be popular among fans, Tost said: "I can imagine so, as the cars look super cool - very aggressive with the wider tyres and the much bigger front and rear wings. And the higher speed in the corners, I think fans will love it.
"Now we have to see how the racing is going to be - how the overtaking will work with these kinds of cars. Fans want to see fights between the drivers - that's why they are coming to the races and watch TV."
In response to the suggestion that the wider cars could be problematic at some narrower tracks, Tost seemed to imply that it would simply add to the challenge faced by the drivers. In any case, he wants to look at the bigger picture, and establishing a strong sport overall.
"Probably it will be even trickier in Monaco and Singapore - and qualifying will become even more important there," he added. "Fact is that the cars are much faster and that is good news. We are back on track to demonstrate again that we are the peak of motorsports."
With regards to Toro Rosso themselves, Tost is upbeat about the team's prospects despite a difficult first test in Barcelona. He agrees that the new STR13 can be capable of making a "splash".
"Yes, we look super aggressive - partly also because our livery looks really sharp. When you look at the overall picture we should have all the ingredients to have a good season. I assume our car is competitive - with Renault we have a good engine; we have competitive drivers; and the team has had stability in recent years.
"But in the end nobody really knows their position in the pecking order at this very moment. Four days' running are simply not enough to have a final judgement."
Mason Hawker
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
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