Using Mercedes as an example of straight-line speed is a bit silly given that they themselves have said that the aerodynamics are horribly inefficient in a straight line (and indeed in general, in terms of downforce:drag).
As to 30hp being a "nothing number"... well, excluding the new teams, it's a field spread out by 1 second (using Valencia Q1 times for as level a playing field as you can get) and that's on one of the longer tracks. I'd say that 30hp makes a massive difference. Yes it may 'only' give you 2-4 tenths per lap, circuit dependant, but if that was the case, in that Valencia Q1 session 3 tenths would have dropped Kubica from 1st to 6th, Vettel from 2nd to 7th, Webber from 6th to 11th and Petrov from 14th to 17th. Conversely, 3 tenths would have bumped Webber from 6th to 2nd and Petrov from 14th to 9th.
There are indeed other factors at play, but it might be fair assume more power would equal more fuel consumption, cancelling that one out, and how do you measure driveability? Power can be measured.
Running lighter only gives you so much of an advantage now that refuelling is banned. It will allow you to run quicker while on heavy tanks and perhaps be ever-so-slightly better for brake and tyre wear... none of which is of any use if you can't overtake because you don't have the grunt to do so.
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I see this as being no different than say Ferrari saying they want downforce equalisation....
Ferrari are free to improve their aerodynamics (and they just have in a significant manner). There is very little you can do to an engine to improve it.