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Some races could see a 50% increase in overtaking

Published on 05 Apr 2019 13:27
2
By: Fergal Walsh

The FIA has indicated that some Formula 1 Grands Prix could see an overtaking increase of up to 50% this year compared to 2018.

F1 has introduced a series of aerodynamic changes this year, all aimed at tackling the difficulty of following a car ahead due to the abundance of dirty air they produce.

Some drivers questioned the changes after pre-season testing, doubting if they had done anything to reduce the dirty air that was produced. However, Bahrain saw an exciting race with a number of on-track battles, perhaps aided by the addition of a third DRS zone.

Speaking before the race in Bahrain, the FIA's head of single-seater technical matters Nikolas Tombazis said: "We were not expecting a huge delta in Australia, which is a difficult track at which to overtake in any case.

"Some simulations were showing a +10% increase of overtaking, assuming a similar evolution of a race, of course. In other races the same simulations expect a more sizeable increase, possibly to the tune of +50%.

"That's the feedback we've had so far, but it will really only become clear as we progress through the season.

"We weren't expecting miracles in round one at Australia, but generally we are expecting a step in the right direction as far as aerodynamics are concerned."

Tombazis added that the FIA is pleased with how the changes are going so far, but admitted that there are certain things it perhaps could have done slightly differently.

"Looking at the cars in testing and seeing certain solutions [to the changes] there are undoubtedly a few things we might have done slightly differently in the rules, but that's always the case.

"Overall, I'm pleased with the direction of the aerodynamic characteristics. I certainly don't think we have arrived at the final destination point and we can never sit back and say, 'OK, it's all fine'.

"However, I think that if we hadn't gone through this process and we were sitting here writing the 2021 rules we would be in a much weaker position. For what we are trying to achieve, 2019 has been a very useful exercise and has lessened the wake effect.

"Whether this season proves to be an exciting championship depends on how closely matched the teams are."

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Replies (2)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
But will the quality stay the same? We didn't have a horde of overtakes last year. There were just enough to keep it interesting, but more importantly the ones that did happen were often high quality stuff, where they had to fight with teeth and nails to make it through. That was ultimately part of why last year was such a good season IMO. If they mess that balance up too much just to get more overtakes, IMO, it's been for naught.
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- Apr 5 2019 - 17:48
RogerF1

Posts: 501
I’d like to see a split of the ratio of overtakes per car between the top 6 and the next 10! It doesn’t take much to have a 50% increase in overtakes in the top 6 as there are woefully few other than undertakes at pit stops. This season ‘seems’ better but save Vettel’s spin and Leclerc’s engine issue the top four at least would have been Noah’s Ark.
- + 0
- Apr 5 2019 - 19:32