Scuderia Toro Rosso technical director James Key has declared the changes in the sport resulting from new tyre and aerodynamic regulations in 2017 amount to the biggest change that he's seen in Formula One in two decades.
"In my 20 years in F1 it’s the biggest chassis change I can remember," Key confirmed on Sunday at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, as the team unveiled its new STR12 contender for this year's Formula One world championship.
"In ’98 the narrow track had just arrived and there were various tweaks up to 2009, when a larger change occurred, but other than the front wing it was still based around principles that we knew.
"These rules however, include a track change, significantly different tyres and a new aero regulation as well. From a chassis point of view it’s all encompassing with a lot of new things to learn."
With the team staying with Renault engines for another season, Key said that retaining Carlos Sainz and Daniil Kvyat as the team's driver line-up was another important bit of stability in the face of such comprehensive change.
"With driver continuity and a power unit which made a major step forward last year and which should be developing strongly this year, it just leaves the chassis as an unknown quantity.
"We always set ourselves ambitious targets and this year, we are taking a more long-term view over the 20 races, with a long list of planned in-season developments.
"I suspect it will be a very busy year with plenty of performance still to be found," he added.
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