Maybe by no means earlier than has the Japanese GP disenchanted F1 followers like this yr. The Suzuka circuit, probably the most appreciated by drivers and sometimes the scene of thrilling races, this time delivered one of many dullest races in latest reminiscence, sparking concern about different tracks on the calendar.
The Grand Prix featured a clear begin, with nearly all drivers sustaining their beginning positions. Over the course of your complete race, solely 15 overtakes have been accomplished, whereas greater than half the grid completed in the identical place they began.
Among the many high ten, regardless of some closing gaps between Russell and Leclerc and later between Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, solely Lewis Hamilton accomplished an overtake—on Isack Hadjar. The highlights of the race have been restricted to heated workforce radio messages from Alex Albon, timid assault makes an attempt between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, and a second of rigidity between the latter and Max Verstappen on pit lane exit. Other than that, it was plain crusing.
The “alarming” information from the Japanese GP recommend a close to future for F1 the place qualifying will turn out to be more and more decisive over the course of a race weekend. Circuits corresponding to Imola and Qatar—the place overtaking is tough—increase considerations, as do others like Baku, the place final yr, after being handed, Charles Leclerc was unable to regain his place from Oscar Piastri.
Overtaking is turning into more and more tough: right here’s why
However why is overtaking turning into tougher in right this moment’s Method 1? One clarification comes from Andrea Stella, echoed by others within the paddock.
“We maintain including downforce to the automobiles, which suggests the losses [when following a rival] are even larger, so I believe soiled air is an issue,” Andrea Stella defined.
“We noticed it in China as effectively with Lewis Hamilton—when he was main the Dash, he may do virtually something he needed, even with a broken tyre. So being in entrance is a big benefit.”
“Although this era of automobiles was designed to enhance the power to observe intently, they’ve as soon as once more turn out to be so aerodynamically dependent that as quickly as you get into the slipstream of the automotive in entrance, you lose efficiency,” the Italian added.
Andrea Stella’s statements have been backed up by a number of drivers. “It was flat-out from begin to end, however the tempo was too much like do something,” stated Lando Norris. Oscar Piastri added: “We got here near overtaking a few occasions, however observe place is necessary right here. I believe yesterday (in qualifying) was when the race was really received.”
Carlos Sainz additionally made robust feedback: “The midfield may be very tight, and on a observe the place you must be 0.7 to 0.8 seconds quicker to overhaul, it was unattainable to anticipate a race the place you could possibly make up floor,” he stated. “This observe has, in a means, turn out to be much like Monaco by way of how tough overtaking is.” – the previous Ferrari driver concluded.
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