Coming into the 2014 Formula One season, there were reports that the cars could be up to five seconds slower per lap under the new regulations.

Following the Australian Grand Prix, the first race of the new season, we can confidently say that is not the case.

For now, the cars are certainly slower. By comparing some of the FIA’s timing data from Melbourne in 2013 and 2014, we can get an idea of how much slower.

First, here are the fastest laps from each year:

While the gap is over three seconds, this does not tell the whole story

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