Pirelli chief Mario Isola has predicted that average lap times will continue to tumble in 2018 due to the combination of developed cars and softer tyre compounds.

The new aerodynamic regulations introduced for the 2017 season saw a massive five second drop in lap times as drivers were able to carry much more speed through the corners.

And now Isola is expecting another substantial fall in 2018 which will see track records being broken once again.

“The Hypersoft in Abu Dhabi was one second quicker than the Ultrasoft so it’s quite an extreme compound,” said Isola at Autosport International.

“I don’t like to call it a qualifying compound as it was developed to be used also on some street circuits or low severity circuits.