F1 fans' worst fear is creeping in.. already!

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Fears of F1's new regulations failing to improve the overall spectacle of Gran Prix racing crept in after just a few hours of pre-season testing yesterday.

The substantial increase in downforce of F1's 2017 cars is impacting the front-end grip of a car tucked behind another, as Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa were quick to point out.

"I was behind a couple of cars out there and it was harder to follow, as we expected," said Hamilton.

"And then also right now the tyres are so hard that they don't drop off, they just keep going and going and going and going.

"So most likely we're going to be doing a lot more one-stopper [races] and, since there's not degradation, less mistakes, less overtaking.

"That's my prediction, I might be wrong, we'll find out."

Massa felt his new Williams FW40 was comfortable to drive but also underlined the impact of its characteristics.

"Definitely from the driving point of view, it’s much nicer for the driver,” said the Brazilian.

"For the show, I don’t know. I’m sure it will be more difficult to overtake. Today driving behind cars you lose a lot more downforce, the car is also much bigger."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.