(Motorsport-Total.com) – An extremely competitive Formula 1 grid with extensive strategy options on a breathtaking track like Suzuka should actually be all that is needed for a spectacular Japanese Grand Prix. However, teams and drivers are already preparing for a game of patiently following the leader, as Formula 1 is currently struggling with a growing “dirty air” problem.
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Will there be such duels in the race in Suzuka despite the “dirty air”? Zoom Download
Formula 1’s new ground effect rules, which apply from 2022, should allow cars to follow each other better. The improvements to the cars’ downforce and the increasing mastery of outwash designs, which are perfectly tuned to direct airflow away from your own car but result in disrupted airflow for those chasing you, have made duels much more difficult.
While things look very close between Red Bull’s pursuers, suggesting potentially unpredictable competition, the high aero demands at Suzuka will make it extremely difficult for anyone to go as fast as they would like when behind another car is trapped.
That could mean that the key to progressing at Suzuka lies not in brilliant overtaking maneuvers, but in getting “clean air” – perhaps with an out-of-sync pit stop – to maximize race speed.
Pirelli race director Mario Isola reckons the need to quickly overtake rivals and find a gap on the track could be a factor in driving teams to start the race on the soft tyre.
“A lot has been developed on the aerodynamic package and now unfortunately we’re back in a situation where you lose downforce when you follow another car,” he says. “At the beginning of 2022, this effect was not present. Now it is back because the teams have all developed new aerodynamic packages that cause turbulence behind them.”
“And unfortunately on this track, because of the fast and flowing nature of the track, you lose quite a bit of downforce when you’re following another car and stuck in traffic. So the soft tire might be an option at the start to try and get an advantage and not to stay in traffic, even if you have to do a shorter stint at the start of the race.”
The dirty air factor means the start will be more important than on other tracks, and the leader coming out of Turn 1 should have a pretty big advantage over his pursuers. Behind them, however, it will be crucial, especially for the drivers who feel like they are not in the right position, to make up positions right from the start and not risk being overtaken by slower cars.
This should make for an exciting opening phase of the Japanese Grand Prix. Like Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur Sky explains: “The position at the end of the first lap will be crucial. If there is clean air at the front it is much better, but here in Suzuka it is not easy to overtake. Driving 30 laps behind a car is complicated, so the The first round will be decisive.”