Although Red Bull came out on top of that fight in Australia, the pace of the Toro Rosso, the points of Williams and the potential of Force India showed that each team has different strengths.

Force India's deputy team principal Bob Fernley says that the indications from Melbourne are that the battle between the midfield squads could be very intense.

"I don't think Williams has moved away from us," he told Motorsport.com. "Toro Rosso has done a great job and Red Bull continue to do a great job. But there is a cigarette paper between us all.

"And track circuit elements specific to certain teams means you will have to leave it a few races to see."

Varying strengths

The different power units being used and the fact that Red Bull and Force India seem to be better than Toro Rosso on tyre management have left Fernley thinking that the pattern may shift regularly.

"Red Bull was very good on tyre management [in Australia] and it was a circuit that didn't really show off its weakness in the power unit," he said.

"I think you will have swings and roundabouts between all those teams. Each will be strong at different circuits, and it will be who can get across the board the most consistency."