The existence of the aerodynamics issue has been one of the most talked about ones in Formula 1 for a while now. The best of the drivers are raising their concerns regarding the matter as they believe that the progress in aerodynamic efficiency in the cars has been the primary reason behind making overtaking cars on the track harder.
The performance of the cars is being aggressively boosted by the teams, but these efforts have unintentionally intensified the out-wash feature of the airflow related to the cars.
The very effective DRS technology that exists in the sport and is present in Max Verstappen’s Red Bull car was instrumental in helping him win a record-breaking number of races this year. According to the driver, “I think on most tracks, we still struggle to follow or pass. I think the cars are getting more and more efficient and they have more downforce. So, it’s harder to follow and then they’re more efficient on the straight.”
Max Verstappen has expressed his concerns about the current era F1 cars becoming harder to follow:
“I think the cars are getting more and more efficient and they have more downforce. So, it’s harder to follow and then they’re more efficient on the straight.”
[@motorsport] #F1 pic.twitter.com/nJ5fDaPOvx
— RBR Daily (@RBR_Daily) September 6, 2023
This statement came right after Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz released a statement regarding the same issue at the Italian Grand Prix saying, “In 99% of the tracks I think we’re going to need DRS, and we’re going to need a powerful DRS because these cars from the beginning of the year are starting to become a bit like 2021 or 2020 where it is difficult to follow.” The driver brilliantly earned a podium position for the team at their home ground in Monza.
Is the Max Verstappen reign coming to an end amid the latest DRS issue?
The RB19 yields the best results among all the machinery that exists at the moment. The car was even admired by the rival Lewis Hamilton as he continuously lags behind Red Bull technology and expectedly Max Verstappen. However, the rising concerns with the role of the Drag Reduction System (DRS) which disrupts the flow of the race is a fickle matter that must be addressed sooner as it puts Red Bull’s account of winning all the races of the season at stake.
Checo backs the need for DRS in F1 as current cars are getting harder to follow:
“I think, definitely less DRS is not the way forward. I remember we were discussing to actually increase the effect because the cars are getting harder to follow.”
“On the contrary, we need more… pic.twitter.com/n3nrrsgtvD
— RBR Daily (@RBR_Daily) September 6, 2023
Formula 1 underwent a major technological update back in 2022. The new design reinstated the idea of ground effects, according to which a car’s underbody and floor are primarily responsible for producing downforce. Making it simpler for cars to follow one another was designed to reduce the disruptive effects of turbulent air and, as a result, increase the potential for dramatic overtaking maneuvers.
However, it has become clear over time that while the ground effects have boosted overall performance, they may also be making it more difficult for drivers to overtake their rivals. Although the Dutch Grand Prix lately set a record for on-track overtakes, other than witnessing the near-fatal incident with Daniel Ricciardo, many have concerns that the upgrades brought to the current cars may be having a significant impact on the regulations’ initial objective.
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