First of all, I really don’t think that overtaking should be easy in F1. Indeed, i’d like to put forward the notion that it should be difficult. However it needs to be possible at every circuit F1 visits, with the possible exception of Monaco – as I don’t think there’s a single driver, staff member, fan or other stakeholder that would swap Monaco for anything.
As NASCAR proves, simple overtaking is boring. This also became an issue in CART when, after complaints about boring oval races, the “Handford Wing” was devised. It worked by creating a big tow for a following car to help overtaking. Following on from this, overtaking on ovals became easy and, in my estimation, wasnt much fun thereafter (though , admittedly more fun than many F1 races).
The most impressive and fun overtaking incidents in modern F1 are always when daring and talent is combines with a fingertips, limit-of-adhesion, near-death move after a prolonged period of stalking, or some on track barging. If a car was to simply cruise up behind another, pass, and continue on unabated, I for one would find that just as boring as the near-impossible overtaking races we have now.
Much has been made of the tracks recently, and I think its a good point. There’s no lack of overtaking at Interlagos, and its possible at Hockenheim, Montreal, Monza, Sepang (despite critics of Tilke tracks), Spa and others. The rules need to help promote this – for instance I cannot understand why the FIA won’t allow tightly controlled sculpting of the underbody to create ground effect – this is what helps overtaking in GP2 – but the tracks need to do their part too.
All tracks need to do is provide a layout that can allow cars to get side-by side somehow. The cars need to inspire confidence (through consistent mechanical grip)
The drivers will see to the rest…
