Sainz: 2017 revolution depends on Pirelli
Oct.5 - Carlos Sainz thinks F1 drivers will have "fun" with the sport's radical new rules for 2017.
In a bid to spice up the spectacle, F1 cars will produce more cornering downforce next year while bigger Pirelli slicks will be faster and look more aggressive.
Toro Rosso's Sainz said he is looking forward to it.
"If the numbers that we are seeing in the simulator in terms of grip, aerodynamics and tyres ... all I can say is that the cars are going to be much faster," he told the Spanish sports newspaper AS.
"Perhaps at the beginning of the year it will be three seconds and then four and a half or five by the end, but for sure they will be faster and the drivers will have more fun," Sainz added.
However, one of the biggest criticisms of modern F1 is that, irrespective of the actual potential of the cars, drivers are having to overly conserve tyres and fuel during grands prix.
Asked if the 2017 formula will fix that problem, Sainz answered: "I don't know if the philosophy of F1 will change.
"There will be five more litres of fuel, but unless Pirelli changes the philosophy of the tyres a lot then I doubt know if it will change radically to what it (F1) was in 2005 or 2006," he added.
Asked if Pirelli is therefore the key, Sainz admitted: "Yes, it depends mainly on Pirelli, because in the end we will not notice those extra five kilos of fuel but the tyres are essential."
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