Verstappen says 2017 F1 races "will be more boring"

When asked by Sky Sports F1's Damon Hill if the new regulations are the right way to go for F1, Verstappen replied: "In terms of driving, yes, absolutely, it's a lot faster and a lot more enjoyable – especially in qualifying when you take out the fuel, in the high-speed corners it's really hooked.

"But in terms of racing, I think it will be more boring because tomorrow who takes first into Turn 1 will win the race."

Verstappen also said that the new breed of cars are more likely to spin due to a handling imbalance, after watching a replay of teammate Daniel Ricciardo crashing out of Q3 in Melbourne.

"With the tyres, they're quite wide at the rear now, and as soon you lose it, it's really difficult to catch it, just because you lose a lot of grip suddenly," he added. "That's what I experienced in Barcelona when I had a moment.

"Normally, when you have a good balance in the car, and you don't have an oversteer, they're actually easier to drive."

Pace "not good enough"

Verstappen will start Sunday's Melbourne season opener from fifth on the grid, as said his Red Bull lacks grip as well as power.

"Of course not good enough," he said. "But after a troubled weekend, and basically I saw it coming after winter testing that this was the best we could do.

"Tricky balance in the car. All the time when we change something, it changes quite a lot in terms of oversteer or understeer and basically not having the pace.

"Of course we're still down on power, but also in terms of grip level I think we are not the same compared to Ferrari and Mercedes yet.

"I just need a clean start, because we don't have the pace to challenge the Ferraris and the Mercedes – I'm realistic."