AlphaTauri's Tost believes variables need to be considered before defining grid

AlphaTauri Team Principal Franz Tost believes that this year's testing times should be taken with a pinch of salt, suggesting that there are many variables to take into consideration before the final order is worked out in Melbourne.

Winter testing showed brand new technical innovations and improved performances from most of the teams, with Ferrari the ones highlighted as underperforming. But Tost believes that Ferrari's lacklusture performance over the six days could be down to a variety of variables rather than the prancing horse truly struggling.

"We can make a difference with the engine settings alone of four tenths per round," Tost said speaking to motorsport.com. "Between the 'softest' and the most aggressive engine management is around three to four tenths.

If you add these three variables together, then you could be up to a second quicker per lap, but it could be more extreme than that Tost says.

Now that testing has finished, we will not be able to see the true pace of each team until the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 15.