Finally, Mercedes have stopped making noises about the expected improvement of their rivals, and started making positive noises from the exhaust pipe of the WO7 F1 Car.
The lack of sound from the 1.6litre Turbocharged-hybrid power units introduced in 2014 has robbed Formula 1 of much of its emotion. Even when Michael Schumacher was doing what Lewis Hamilton now does, the noise added so much more drama.
Mercedes F1 have just released this short video from pre-season engine testing, which hints at a better sounding 2016.
Mercedes aren't the first to share their 2016 engine testing, but they are the first to let it all hang out, or at least peek out.
McLaren released only audio of the Honda Engine they hope can salvage pride for the Woking based operation, while Ferrari blurred out any interesting pictures.
Personally, I feel the issue has been sound, rather than volume.
For example, V8 Supercars are markedly quieter than the current 'whispering' F1 cars, yet you can still hear the V8 rumble. By comparison, Formula One is a flatulent drone.
I'm not wishing for the return of guaranteed hearing damage, just some feeling. This short video, compares the sound of the 2013 and 2014 grids in Melbourne.
The lack of noise is of course commendable, because sound is energy and the whole ethos of the F1 Power Unit (PU) is to harvest every ounce. So as much as folk (like me) lament the absence of the screeching V10 and howling V8 engines; we need to accept the merits of the muffled motors.
There will be some relief this year, thanks to a rule change from the FIA. I won't get too technical, but Article 5.8.2 simply says all of the tailpipes must go all the way to the back, and not be interrupted.
F1 W07 Hybrid new pipes.
Both the look and sound of 2016 will be properly unveiled on Monday, when testing gets underway in Barcelona.
Newshub.