How you react to Formula One’s new breed of wider cars may well depend on how long you’ve been watching it.

For those who’ve been following F1 for 20 years or more, the move from 1.8-metre to 2-metre wide cars represents a return to how the sport used to look. Those who discovered F1 more recently may see it differently.

The wider bodies, wheels and rear wings on this year’s cars makes for a jarring contrast with the designs of 12 months ago, as the images below show.

As well as improving how the cars look, the changes have been made to improve their performance, and so far most of the drivers appear to be pleased with the results.

The early signs are the changes have made the cars quicker, too. Lewis Hamilton’s fastest time on Friday was already two seconds quicker than the best during practice last year. Times should improve further tomorrow if the track stays dry and continues to yield more grip.

F1’s new cars have passed the first test. The big question now is how good the racing will be. The next few races should give us our first impression.

2017 F1 season