The Formula 1 world got its first good look at Pirelli's new 'ultra soft' tyre on Tuesday.
The best time posted by Sebastian Vettel was particularly noteworthy, as the Ferrari driver went almost two seconds faster than Nico Rosberg's 2015 pole.
Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo also impressed with the purple-coloured tyre, telling Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat in Barcelona: "They are grippier and different in nature. They seem like fun."
Even though F1's softest tyres are now faster, however, Fernando Alonso says that he is no longer blown away by the sensation of speed in the modern sport.
"F1 is now much slower in general than before. I was in the 1m 26s, which a few years ago I would be doing on the installation lap," Alonso, who drives for McLaren-Honda, is quoted as saying by El Pais.
"But when we start racing in Australia, then the adrenaline will rise a little."
The new season gets underway with the Australian Grand Prix next month.
