Comments on: Overtaking: Too much or too little?

By: MN

MN — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:28:48 +0000

I think F1 Cars should be like GP2 cars and races should be longer and there should be points given for overtaking

By: Patrick

Patrick — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 21:15:07 +0000

GP2 is a pretty good model, if you ask me. The other reason GP2 cars can run much closer together is that a good part of their downforce is generated via underbody aerodynamics, which don’t create the same turbulence problems as wings do.

And you’re right, there *can* be too much overtaking. I remember Nigel Roebuck raving about NASCAR in the 1980s, and being horribly disappointed when I actually saw a race on Eurosport, or whatever it was. Still figure it might be impressive to watch in person though – if not quite worth a transatlantic trip in and of itself.

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 03:13:09 +0000

I couldnâ€™t agree more with your article! I hate NASCAR with an undesirable passion. I hate everything about it, from its simplicity to the simpletons that watch it!!! Even if F1 doesnâ€™t have much passing, you know that the very few passes that are made are 10x more difficult then those of Nascar. And American cars are ****, the only reason why they sell in the USA is because of there â€œmacho / cool / bigger then yoursâ€ factor that simple people are attracted to. Anyways, I hope F1 does get better in the future.

By: Nathan Jones

Nathan Jones — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 01:04:47 +0000

firstly, there can be too much overtaking in F1!, secondly i’d much prefer that to what we have now!
thing is, i remember around season ’95 that drivers started being punished if they caused collisions with suspended race bans etc. this for mine is a massive deterrant for the drivers to try a move!
remember when JPM got a penalty at U.S ’03 for colliding with barrichello!
what the FIA needs to do is encourage the drivers to make a move, not deterr them!
sadly, as i live in OZ we don’t see let alone hear of any of the GP2 races!

By: Ollie

Ollie — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 19:40:48 +0000

Firstly, I must say what a great set of videos that made for fantastic viewing – thanks. I’ll never forget Hakkinen and Schumacher at Spa, and Villeneuve in Estoril.

I agree with your sentiment that Max should look at GP2 rather than NASCAR for solutions. NASCAR is a good series in the sense that it is more fan-friendly, but as a model for a racing series it is lacking in the sophistication department.

Personally, I enjoyed the last F1 season and apart from the tradtional bores (Catalunya being one), I felt the overtaking that occured was of okay quality. But there is definitely room for improvement. The two moves I mentioned above probably sum up the last ten years in F1, which is quite sad.

I’m starting to think that maybe the points system does need to be changed. Alonso played it easy in 2005, knowing that a second place would only lose him 2 points in the title lead. But as soon as he had won the championship, he let the Renault go and we all saw one of the greatest Japanese Grands Prix ever. Oh yeah, that was another move to include in this past decade.

I think a part of the ‘lack of overtaking’ issue is down to the drivers not wanting to take risks (in the sense of Alonso in ’05), and this issue needs to be dealt with as well.

Of course, it’ll never be just right, and as you said, what Max wants Max usually gets. Which is a crying shame when designers and team owners also want to see more overtaking. After all, if the sport becomes boring, people will not watch. And for the commercialised form of F1 at the moment, that would spell the end of the sport.