Fernando Alonso believes that, without Red Bull, the current Formula 1 regulations introduced at the beginning of last year would be deemed a success.
Last Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix was panned after only 13 overtakes happened during the race as Red Bull cruised to their third one-two of 2022, with Alonso coming home a distant fourth.
“There were higher expectations on cars following each other and the grid being a little bit closer together, but I think we need to give [the new regulations] a little more time,” said Alonso to the media ahead of the Miami GP.
“If we didn’t have Red Bull that much ahead, I think it would be a very interesting fight between three-four teams within one or two-tenths, so we would [be] saying the new regulations were a success.
“It has been quite close between all the teams, it’s been very tight between one or two-tenths from each other, maybe they’re a little bit better on Saturday.
“We are a little bit better on Sunday, but I think it has been quite consistent from Bahrain.”
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F1 overtaking has always been like this
With a combined total of 31 overtakes in Sunday’s GP and Saturday’s Sprint, many have speculated on what could be changed in the regulations to prevent mundane races from happening.
The shortening of the DRS zone on the front straight was one cause behind Baku’s lack of action, and with Miami also having its DRS zone trimmed, a repeat could be a possibility.
“Could be, but this is Formula 1, it’s always been like this,” said Alonso. It has been Hamilton and Bottas [finishing] first and second. In the past, Vettel and Webber.
“When you have the fastest car, you can start a little bit behind and still may make some moves, and if you’re in any other car, as I said, we’re all in within one-tenth, you’re still secure in that position.
“There aren’t many overtaking [opportunities] after Lap 2-3, but even here, we could see some rain forecast for Sunday, so things may change.”
