The rule change in 2022 was primarily intended to facilitate overtaking on the track. However, the exact opposite happened. Maneuvers on the track have decreased significantly, but according to James Vowles, not because of the changed regulations. The head of Williams believes that the cause must be looked for somewhere completely different.
Not even two years after the introduction of new rules that were supposed to make overtaking on the track easier, drivers are beginning to suffer more and more from the impossibility of getting past opponents in front of them.
The culprit of this problem is the difficult ride in the trailer, which, according to James Vowles, has nothing to do with the current technical regulations. The Briton explains that it is more difficult for the drivers to chase their competitors because the current single-seaters are much more advanced and fine-tuned in terms of aerodynamics than their predecessors.
“I don’t think the rules have failed,” stated Vowles. “I think it would be most unfair to say something like that. The middle of the field is extremely balanced and overtaking happens there. If I’m not mistaken, the data also shows that there is more overtaking in the middle of the field than in 2021 or 2020.”
Vowles acknowledges that the situation is different at the front of the race. “This is because the teams at the front have developed the cars in such a way that when you generate downforce, it’s more difficult to drive in a trailer.” However, he repeatedly emphasizes that the amended rules are fulfilling their role. “I’m still of the opinion – and it also follows from the data – that it’s easier to chase opponents than before. The rules thus fulfill their purpose.’
Like Vowles, Aston Martin boss Mike Krack disagrees with the claim that the new rules are responsible for the difficult overtaking. “I don’t think the regulations are at fault. The responsibility for fewer overtaking maneuvers is due to the different design solutions of single-seaters and of course the dominance (of Red Bull, editor’s note), which none of us wanted.”
“Be that as it may, the fact is that the current rules will only remain in place for one year and then new ones will be introduced,” he noted Crack. “But honestly, I don’t think they’re missing anything. I believe that, except for Red Bull moving sovereignly at the front, the race in Saudi Arabia was extremely even.” added the 51-year-old Luxembourger.
2024-03-15 14:13:54
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