Grosjean: Aero no longer the limiting factor in overtaking

  • Published on 21 Mar 2019 13:05
  • comments 1
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Romain Grosjean believes the new aerodynamic regulations have done well to make it easier to follow a car in front.

However, the Frenchman says that Pirelli's tyres still suffer when they are in close vicinity to the rear of another car, which causes them to overheat.

Grosjean was following teammate Kevin Magnussen in the early stages of the race before his retirement and noticed the changes following a car in front.

“I was behind Magnussen,” he explained. “The new rules are great for following another car but the tyres are still what they were last year.

"As soon as you push, you slide, and then you lose the grip. So even though we can follow much easier than in the past overtaking is still very complicated.”

But McLaren's Carlos Sainz believes that the Drag Reduction System (DRS), which has become stronger this year due to the bigger rear wings, makes overtaking much easier.

"I think there’s been some overtaking,” he commented. “I think mainly it’s down to the DRS more than the rules. That’s my first impression, because it was still tricky to be closer to a car in front.

“I was there with [Lance] Stroll, I nearly got a look at him into turn one and turn three which last year would have been difficult. Maybe [it’s] a bit better. Still the cars are so fast and so dependent on downforce that it’s difficult to overtake.”

Speaking after the weekend, F1's managing director Ross Brawn says he was encouraged by the overtaking statistics from Albert Park, which were up compared to the event 12 months ago.

If true, closer following without making overtaking too easy sounds like a win for F1 and fans.

  • 1
  • Mar 22 2019 - 06:04

Replies (1)

Login to reply
  • If true, closer following without making overtaking too easy sounds like a win for F1 and fans.

    • + 1
    • Mar 22 2019 - 06:04

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country FR
  • Date of b. Apr 17 1986 (38)
  • Place of b. Geneve, FR
  • Weight 71 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

  • comments 70,610 comments on Haas
  • star 16 members have this team as their favourite
  • vote Tweets about Haas
Show full profile
show sidebar