[Anydayhybeall]

Indeed, and it brings up the question of how much of the overtaking back in the 80's was also due to larger differences in car performance across the field. And conversely, how much of the decline in these overtaking statistics is down to equalisers like control tyres and restrictive engine rules, rather than the aero issues.

The overtaking in the early 80s I guess was due partly to turbo cars qualifying at the front of races by turning the boost up regardless of whether their car was anywhere near fast enough in race trim. How many times a race would Stefan Johansson for example be overtaken every race driving his turbo powered Spirit?

[kristloken]

I would strongly agree with AndyL in the argument that the disparity in the modern F1 is much lower causing the passing to be difficult. I believe that's also the reason why the new supposedly overtaking facilitating scheme didn't seem to work last year. According to the statistics, the total amount of overtakings stayed unchanged from last year despite some positive signs that cars do seem to follow closer at times; and I believe this awkward situation was owing to the low disparity when the whole field is covered by only 2 seconds, creating a unusual phenomenon when qualifying was more exciting than the race itself. Had that been 4 seconds like before, the races should have contained more passings presumably.

[dhYTvlAv]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. My apologies if this is slightly off-topic.

If they're so sure that the chances of overtaking are reduced because the car in front messes up the air and reduces the chasing car's downforce, why don't they just make a rule where every car has to pass a "windtunnel test", where it would be illegal to cause more than a 10% reduction of a chasing car's downforce?

I really can't see any reason why that wouldn't work.

[Nmoitmzr]

Here's an interesting table showing overtaking stats for this season so far and since 2004.



Certainly an interesting comparison..

[Nmoitmzr]

It has been stated on the official website that Lewis Hamilton has made 32 overtakes this season so some of the figures here can be taken with a pinch of salt. Maybe the teams and F1.com are lying? Who knows?...

[enurneAcourdy]

One of the things it does say is that Bahrain, as I hasve said many times, is NOT a boring race!

[Nmoitmzr]

One of the things it does say is that Bahrain, as I hasve said many times, is NOT a boring race!

Its just the footage that was chosen for television gave the appearance of being boring..

[flanna.kersting]

More overtakes in 8 races this year than all of 2009!

[GitaraMoya]

More overtakes in 8 races this year than all of 2009!

I wonder what the lap time differences will be at a really long track like Spa?
Out of sequence cars of the same speed in quali trim could be 3 and 4 secs per lap slower in dry conditions, on the same compound, may be even more

[flanna.kersting]

I wonder what the lap time differences will be at a really long track like Spa?
Out of sequence cars of the same speed in quali trim could be 3 and 4 secs per lap slower in dry conditions, on the same compound, may be even more

In reality that is no different to what we were seeing in the late 90's and early 00's.

Everyone is well within the old 107% rule so there should be no problem.