Some races could see a 50% increase in overtaking

  • Published on 05 Apr 2019 13:27
  • comments 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."

Replies (2)

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  • 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.

    • + 0
    • 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

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Date
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Bahrain
29 - Mar 2 2024
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia
5 - Apr 7 2024
Japan
19 - Apr 21 2024
China
3 - May 5 2024
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24 - May 26 2024
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21 - Jun 23 2024
Spain
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Austria
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom
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Hungary
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Netherlands
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22 2024
Singapore
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America
25 - Oct 27 2024
Mexico
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America
29 - Dec 1 2024
Qatar
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates
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United Arab Emirates
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
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29 - Mar 2 2024
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7 2024
19 - Apr 21 2024
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
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24 - May 26 2024
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21 - Jun 23 2024
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Austria Red Bull Ring
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Hungary Hungaroring
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23 - Aug 25 2024
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Italy Monza
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Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
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18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
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1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil Interlagos
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6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
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United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
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