2017 a processional year?
ONLY 5 SUCCESSFUL OVERTAKINGS: AERODYNAMICS MAKE PASSING ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE
But it’s not all doom – some believe we’ll have to wait for the really long straights. John Floyd
After just one event of a 20-race season under the new regulations, we are hearing concerns from those involved in the sport and the majority of the media.
Even before the teams rolled out in anger, rumours abounded that the aerodynamics of the 2017 F1 cars would make overtaking very difficult, if not impossible.
Melbourne apparently did naught to alleviate those fears.
Reports cited that the first race of the season was boringly processional, not boding well for the rest of 2017.
Within minutes of the chequered flag gloomy statistics appeared.
Only five successful overtaking moves this year against 37 last year was the immediate media response, apparently indicating the new regulations were not working.
You can not argue with the statistics, but I must admit that I enjoyed the race.
Not an epic event, but it is not often that the initial event sets the world ablaze.
Press releases informed me that every driver agreed it is going to be a year of minimal passing manoeuvres.
As usual that depends on which press releases you read. I have seen a large number and most appear to paint a picture of gloom.
Some drivers did not follow that line, one being Kimi Raikkonen.
After bringing his Ferrari home fourth in Melbourne the Finn did not dismiss the new format.
He commented, “It was only one race and this place is far from a normal circuit.
“Some circuits will be easier, some harder. We have to see how it goes in the next races.”
New Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas is another who believes that it may not be all doom on the overtaking front.
The Finn said, “I think it will be more difficult, but that will depend on the tracks. The circuits with the really long straights will offer good racing because slip-streaming now has a bigger effect.
“Let us wait a few more races and see how the racing goes,” he added.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was another who believes we need to wait and see before condemning the new regulations.
He said: “I think we have to reserve judgment for two or three races.
“Melbourne historically has had little overtaking, but China and Bahrain are two circuits which are much easier to overtake at.”
Horner continued, “The positive thing is the drivers were pushing all race so there was not a lot of fuel saving and not much tyre saving going on which was a positive.”
I could not agree more – the new format deserves a chance to prove itself.