F1 drivers feel key 2020/21 problem is returning

Formula 1 drivers feel that overtaking difficulty is starting to get to the levels seen pre-2022, as they find it tough to follow each other under normal conditions.

The current regulations introduced in 2022 were designed with the intent on bringing the racing closer and giving drivers more opportunities to overtake, even without the need of DRS zones.

Despite the fact that the recent Dutch Grand Prix broke the record for on-track overtakes, there is some concern over whether the developments on the current cars is starting to impact the intention of the rules.

"In 99% of the tracks, I think we're going to need DRS," Carlos Sainz told media, including RacingNews365.

"We're going to need a powerful DRS because these cars from the beginning of the year are starting to become a bit like 2021 or 2020 where it is difficult to follow.

"Obviously Monza is a special case because you don't only have the DRS, you also have very long straights of slipstreaming, which helps a bit more the car behind but I think in the rest of the tracks, we're going to need the DRS."

Perez: Less DRS not the way forward

The FIA made significant changes to the DRS zones pre-season, to either facilitate overtake or make it harder where it was deemed not enough of a challenge.

Max Verstappen singled out the Miami Grand Prix as an example, where drivers complained about the shortening of the DRS zone.

"I think in most tracks, we still struggled to follow or pass. At the beginning of the year, a lot of people were complaining about passing. We had the luxury being a quick car, we could still pass at tracks like in Miami," said Verstappen.

"Everyone was complaining in Miami about the passing – remember in the briefings – with DRS? I think the cars are getting more and more efficient and they have more downforce. So it's harder to follow and then they're more efficient on the straight."

This was echoed by teammate Sergio Perez, who thinks the DRS effect should be looked at on a case-by-case basis at each venue.

"Definitely less DRS is not the way forward. I remember we were discussing to actually increase the effect because yeah, the cars are getting harder to follow," said Perez.

"I think here, the DRS effect like Max says is really, really small. So, I don't think in other places we can race with less DRS. If anything, we needed the DRS more in some places to be able to have better racing."