Maybe by no means earlier than has the Japanese GP disillusioned F1 followers like this yr. The Suzuka circuit, one of the vital appreciated by drivers and sometimes the scene of thrilling races, this time delivered one of many dullest races in current reminiscence, sparking concern about different tracks on the calendar.
The Grand Prix featured a clear begin, with virtually all drivers sustaining their beginning positions. Over the course of the whole race, solely 15 overtakes had been accomplished, whereas greater than half the grid completed in the identical place they began.
Among the many prime 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 had been restricted to heated staff radio messages from Alex Albon, timid assault makes an attempt between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, and a second of stress between the latter and Max Verstappen on pit lane exit. Other than that, it was plain crusing.
The “alarming” knowledge from the Japanese GP counsel a close to future for F1 the place qualifying will develop into more and more decisive over the course of a race weekend. Circuits equivalent to Imola and Qatar—the place overtaking is troublesome—elevate 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 changing into more and more troublesome: right here’s why
However why is overtaking changing into tougher in immediately’s System 1? One rationalization comes from Andrea Stella, echoed by others within the paddock.
“We hold including downforce to the automobiles, which implies the losses [when following a rival] are even higher, so I feel soiled air is an issue,” Andrea Stella defined.
“We noticed it in China as properly 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 major benefit.”
“Although this technology of automobiles was designed to enhance the flexibility to comply with carefully, they’ve as soon as once more develop into so aerodynamically dependent that as quickly as you get into the slipstream of the automobile in entrance, you lose efficiency,” the Italian added.
Andrea Stella’s statements had 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,” mentioned Lando Norris. Oscar Piastri added: “We got here near overtaking a few instances, however monitor place is essential right here. I feel yesterday (in qualifying) was when the race was really received.”
Carlos Sainz additionally made sturdy feedback: “The midfield may be very tight, and on a monitor the place you must be 0.7 to 0.8 seconds quicker to overhaul, it was unattainable to count on a race the place you possibly can make up floor,” he mentioned. “This monitor has, in a approach, develop into much like Monaco by way of how troublesome overtaking is.” – the previous Ferrari driver concluded.
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