The Briton believes the impending changes will also produce better racing, and will help ensure races become a 'proper fist fight' on a routine basis.

Asked at the annual FIA Sport Conference what he expects to come from the 2017 changes - and whether he would prioritise outright speed or racing on track - Allison said: "The historic best lap time were set a while back, but we're starting to approach those now. I'm looking forward to next year, because next year we're going to start smashing those records.

"Some people think that lap times aren't so important, that the closeness of the racing is the only thing that matter. I think both matter.

"We would like every race to be a proper fist fight and it's getting more and more that way. There is some very good racing happening in the field this year and it's only going to improve."

Allison said the successes of the current era, particularly the astonishing efficiencies of modern power units, should be duly celebrated - but admitted the new rules represent an exhilarating opportunity for teams to transform their performance relative to their rivals.