Carlos Sainz has warned dirty air is “becoming a limitation” again for Formula 1 drivers as overtaking nose dives in 2023.
Last year, the introduction of a new era of tightly regulated ground effect cars was introduced with the sole aim of allowing for closer, more exciting racing.
Mostly, the changes worked with 30% more overtakes recorded in 2022 than the year before, while drivers praised the ability to follow other cars more closely.
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However, speaking after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Sainz delivered an analysis that will have F1 bosses concerned.
“These cars in dirty air have got a bit worse compared to last year, probably adding downforce and the new floor rules,” he said.
“They are starting to become a bit like the old cars where the dirty air is becoming a limitation, and today it wasn’t that easy to pass.”
That was seconded by Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, who added: “I could have gone a bit faster, but when I was closer than a second to Carlos, you felt the turbulence of the car in front of you.”
Even Max Verstappen, who recovered from 15th to finish second in Jeddah admitted turbulent air was definitely an issue through the high-speed first sector.
Backing up the drivers’ claims is a significant reduction in the amount of overtakes so far in the first two races.
In Bahrain, a track that historically sees one of the highest number of passes all season, only 37 overtakes were recorded, less than half as in 2022 and the fewest since 2010.
This was after the FIA shortened the DRS zone down the main straight by 80m compared to last year over fears passing was becoming too easy with the rear wing open.
Then in Jeddah, overtakes were reduced again from 38 to 33 year-on-year despite having Leclerc and Verstappen out of position on the grid.
If this trend continues, F1 chiefs will no doubt be considering if anything can be done…
