[aliceingoogs]

Overtaking should come naturally within the races structure. If there is a lack of overtaking, it is very important to pinpoint the definite area where the problem lies. It's very clear that the difficulty with closing a gap in dirty air poses the biggest threat to overtaking, or even creating an overtaking opportunity for yourself. But making new regulations, dicing around current ones, without actually focusing on the biggest hindrance, just wastes time, money and confuses/irritates fans, drivers and team personnel. That said, the dirty air flaw doesn't seem to be as bad as it was in the past.

However, taking that out of the equation, I don't believe that there is any other serious flaws regarding overtaking in the sport currently. And this year, I must say, I've enjoyed the increase in on-track racing which I don't for one minute put down to some wet or damp conditions we have experienced. We have had some absolutely stupid moves by a number of drivers this season and, while this could be argued to be careless driving as opposed to skilled or professional, it is creating more spectacle and entertainment.

Interesting point about the safety car too. I, for one, hate the field being bunched up. Safety is a very important element of the sport, of course. But, remembering that up to the early 1990s some cars were even left road-side for the remaining race distance after retiring, how essential are the safety car periods we have endured in recent years? If a car stops on track, but off the racing line, then the only threat that it really poses is to another which is badly off the racing line, with the possibility of hitting the stricken car. I think that leaving cars abandoned road-side (perhaps only in slow areas of the course and when enough racing line is left) creates interesting changes to the approach of lapping the track during a race. Though that idea is quite far-fetched in many respects I know, I think it could be done safely and improve the races structure since there would be no safety car to deal with. Though, obviously, in cases where the racing line and driver safety is at risk, I do agree that the safety car is a welcome addition to the race.