Pirelli's wider tyres and the extra bulk it has induced have led the FIA to increase the mimimum weight of this year's cars by 6kg.
In its latest F1 technical regulations published a few weeks ago, the FIA stipulated that of each car, without fuel, must not be less that 722kg at all times.
But the introduction of Pirelli's wider tyres for 2017 and the extra weight they bring has mandated the FIA to tweak the current weight limit.
The minimum weight increase was justified by the official weight difference between a 2016 set of tyres and its 2017 equivalent, a difference determined to be 6kg.
The new 728kg limit for 2017 represents an increase of 26kg over last year's mandatory 702kg limit.
With cars so sensitive to weight margins, one would believe that this year's heavier cars would negatively impact lap times, but the introduction of bigger wings and the enhanced mechanical grip will provide an overall positive effect on performance.
GALLERY: F1 drivers' wives and girlfriends
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
