Red Bull's Max Verstappen isn't expecting this year's new-spec cars to be five seconds faster at every venue this season.
Increased downforce and wider tyres have generated huge mechanical grip following the introduction of new rules, with on average a five-second lap time gain expected at most tracks compared to 2016 performance.
Lewis Hamilton's 1:22.18 pole in Melbourne was indeed 4.2s quicker than the benchmark time he achieved in 2015, but Verstappen believes the relative performance will mostly depend on track configuration.
"It will just depend track to track," said the Dutchman.
"I think, for example, in Barcelona it could be more [than five seconds] because it's more about downforce. Maybe in Monza we will be a bit slower than last year, it will depend track to track."
Cars could effectively be slower in Monza because of the extra drag and weight, a handicap on the fast, long-straight layout.
While faster the new generation of F1 cars also appear to please most drivers despite the increased physical demands associated with the climb in cornering speeds.
"They are more fun, especially in qualifying when you have low fuel, they are more stable through high speed corners," Verstappen added.
"The only thing is when you lose it, it's more difficult to catch it because of the wide tyres, it's difficult to get it back.
"That's the only thing. In general, when you keep it in the right [part of the] track it is actually a lot more fun."
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