Christian Horner praises Pirelli's 2017 tyres

The first real praise about Pirelli's all-new bigger and wider tyres has finally emerged.

Until now, although the aim is to make next year's tyres faster, grippier and more durable, the drivers doing the testing have been offering mixed reviews.

Now, the reason for that may have emerged.

Auto Motor und Sport says that Ferrari's modified 2015 test car is not producing any more detail than its 2016 machine, and the Maranello team is too focused on 2017 to improve it.

Mercedes' offering, meanwhile, is only a few per cent better than its title-winning 2016 machine.

Yet the modified 2015 Red Bull is reportedly producing up to 11 or 12pc more downforce.

At the wheel at the most recent test session in Barcelona was Pierre Gasly, and team boss Christian Horner seemed impressed with the results.

"Despite high temperatures and fast laps in a row, they did not overheat and the laptimes were pleasingly consistent," he is quoted as saying.

The 2016 championship continues on Sunday with the Mexican Grand Prix.