2019 increase of overtakes could increase by as much as 50%

FIA's head of Single Seater Technical Matters Nickolas Tombazis thinks that overtaking could increase by as much as 50% in 2019, with new regulation changes being the key factor in this upwards trend.

In previous years, overtaking has been the main problem of Formula 1 as a product.

In 2019, the front wings have been standardised to an extent, in an attempt to decrease the amount of 'dirty air' behind a car, making it easier for a trailing car to chase. The rear wings have been adjusted too, making the DRS flap on cars bigger. The result of this is that DRS has way more impact, giving a chasing car a significantly bigger boost than before. 

According to Tombazis, simulations show overtaking should increase substantially.

"We were not expecting a huge delta in Australia, which is a difficult track at which to overtake in any case," Tombazis said in the FIA's magazine AUTO.

"Some simulations were showing a 10% increase of overtaking, assuming a similar evolution of a race, of course. In other races the same simulations expect a more sizable increase, possibly to the tune of 50%.

"To be clear, that is from simulations of cars following each other in races from last year, using this set of rules. 

"We weren't expecting miracles in round one at Australia, but generally, we are expecting a step in the right direction as far as aerodynamics are concerned."