overtaking

I think that the solution to the problem of processional races is all in the braking.

If the cars were forced to use say- 2 piston (max bore 35mm) calipers front and rear, smaller pads, and rotors 50mm less in diameter than currently, the braking zones would be extended considerably and it would be easier to get alongside your opponent. Larger ducts would be allowed to prevent fade.

As I see it the problem is that the braking zones are so short that you can't gain enough ground under brakes to make a move stick. You need to be virtually beside your opponent before braking to pass because of the line disadvantage.

The other element which I believe to be condusive to overtaking is terrain change in corners. This is an element which certainly "sorts the men from the boys" as it were. I think you would see considerably poorer performances from Ralf, Rubens, and the like.

I think the answer lies in reducing aerodynamic grip and increasing mechanical so that the cars could follow each other closely, especially in corners. That said, the latest races have shown quite a bit of overtaking anyway.

That said, even if you're all over the guy coming out of the corner, you no longer have enough draft to make a run. A reduction needs to be made to both brakes and aero capability. Perhaps narrowing the length of the Plank to a couple of centremetres and making it 4 times as thick to completely remove g/effect or banning the use of under-car diffusers. I was at melbourne and I have to say that most of the overtaking was in the pits. Sepang looked better though. Especially since we've just been to the two worst circuits on the calendar.

I saw a helluva lot of passing at Malaysia.