Though the increased performance of the 2017 cars is set to make for a spectacular sight around Spa, one negative will be the great Eau Rouge corner will no longer be a challenge, according to Formula 1 drivers.

Over the years, car development has meant that even in lower downforce trim the famous uphill sweep, actually named Raidillon with the kink left at the bottom called Eau Rouge, hasn't instilled as much fear into drivers as it did say 20 years ago. 

Nevertheless, with the increased weight and power of recent years, the climb did become more difficult as Kevin Magnussen found out to his detriment last year. However, with bigger tyres and greater ground effect for 2017, the increase in grip will mean drivers can keep their foot to the floor when approaching one of the most famous sights in Motorsport.

“I think Eau Rouge will be not a corner that’s very interesting because it will be too easy for all of the drivers, all of the cars,” said Massa in the press conference on Thursday. “More or less like a straight."

Red Bull's Max Verstappen agreed, adding: “It’s eyes-closed flat-out now. I think back in the day it was also more dangerous. At the end of the day, Eau Rouge is very nice, the scenery is very nice, but it’s easy flat out at the moment."

Drivers already have some feel for the 2017 cars around the well-known layout having completed simulator testing in the build-up. When looking at areas that will push the limit of the new cars, however, both pointed to the twisty middle sector from Les Combes to Stavelot.

"When we get to the second sector it will be quite interesting," Massa claimed. "A lot of high-speed corners, quick changes of direction. That will be quite interesting and a good feeling for the drivers as well, like it was in Silverstone.”

One corner that could take up the mantle from Eau Rouge and Raidillon is the long left-hander of Pouhon which some were predicting could now be flat out with the faster cars.

“I like the second sector where you have a lot of fast corners in a row,” Verstappen continued. “I think that’s the most beautiful corners to take.”

With the use of the Ultrasoft tyres, it will be interesting to see how much the improved cornering speeds will offset time lost on the flat-out runs from La Source to Les Combes and Stavelot to the Bus Stop, as a result of the increase in drag.