SUZUKA, Japan — Following Sunday`s Japanese Grand Prix, a familiar question resurfaced: Is overtaking too difficult in Formula 1?

Despite Max Verstappen`s dominant victory, the race highlighted a lack of overtaking action throughout the field. Post-first lap, the race saw only 15 overtaking maneuvers, a significant drop from 48 at the same track in 2024 and 29 in 2023. Notably, 11 drivers finished in their starting positions.

The lack of excitement wasn`t limited to viewers. Even on the demanding Suzuka circuit, several drivers described the 53 laps as uneventful.

Nico Hulkenberg of Sauber summarized the race as `Long, dull, not much happening,` after finishing 16th, where he started. He added, `Much of the race was spent in traffic, which isn`t enjoyable when you`re constantly looking at someone`s rear wing in the DRS zone. The dirty air from these cars makes overtaking incredibly challenging.`

Carlos Sainz of Williams, who managed a couple of late-race passes but still finished 15th from 15th on the grid, drew a parallel to Monaco. Monaco`s overtaking scarcity in 2024 led F1 to mandate two pit stops for this year`s race to increase the excitement.

Sainz stated, `The midfield is incredibly competitive, and on a circuit requiring a 0.7 to 0.8 second advantage to pass, a race with numerous overtakes was unrealistic. This track has become somewhat like Monaco in terms of overtaking difficulty.`

Rookie driver Gabriel Bortoleto also found the race at Suzuka, despite its high-speed nature, to be monotonous.

`It wasn`t difficult, just a bit boring following behind,` the Brazilian commented. `Even with a pace advantage, as I had towards the end, it wasn`t significant enough to make a pass.`

He continued, `I attempted to overtake twice, but couldn`t get alongside by the end of the straight. It`s unfortunate, but we move forward.`

Reasons for Overtaking Difficulties in Japan

Following the similarly uneventful Chinese Grand Prix, the lack of overtaking in Japan has reignited concerns within Formula 1. The sport has consistently focused on improving its `show,` implementing rule changes since 2009 to encourage overtaking and reduce the impact of `dirty air.`

Aerodynamic performance remains crucial in F1, with car designs optimized for clean airflow to maximize lap times. While some consideration is given to wind direction changes, simulating the turbulent air behind another car is complex. Developing a car for optimal lap times in clean air remains more beneficial.

The 2022 regulations emphasized underfloor aerodynamics to improve overtaking and close performance gaps. The aim was to reduce the sensitivity of aerodynamic surfaces to dirty air. Initial improvements were noted between the end of 2021 and early 2022.

However, after four seasons of intense development, cars have become more aerodynamically sensitive. Drivers are again encountering the `invisible wall` of dirty air when approaching the car ahead.

Alpine driver Pierre Gasly noted, `It was very difficult to get close. Once within 0.6 or 0.7 seconds, closing the final gap became extremely challenging.`

He added, `With limited tire management needed and similar car performance levels, overtaking becomes very difficult. That`s simply the current situation.`

Reduced downforce in dirty air also increases tire stress. Following closely can overheat tires as they compensate for lost aerodynamic performance, hindering overtaking attempts. Drivers often close in, struggle in dirty air, and then drop back to cool tires before trying again.

This also gives the race leader an advantage with clean airflow, while trailing drivers manage overheating tires.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella explained, `Ultimately, increased aerodynamic downforce intensifies performance loss in dirty air. Dirty air remains a significant problem. Hamilton`s sprint race lead in China showed he could manage even with tire damage due to clean air. Leading is a major advantage.`

Stella continued, `Even though this car generation was designed to improve following in 2022, extensive aerodynamic development has made them highly sensitive machines again. Performance drops significantly when following.`

While dirty air isn`t new, recent aerodynamic development doesn`t fully explain the 68% overtake drop at Suzuka from 2024 to 2025. A key factor was the track resurfacing before the 2025 race, creating smoother asphalt and minimal tire degradation.

This meant drivers like Lando Norris, close to Verstappen`s Red Bull, lacked the performance advantage for an overtake. McLaren`s tire management strengths, usually an advantage, were neutralized by Suzuka`s new surface.

Norris commented, `It was flat-out racing, but pace was too similar for moves. Max drove flawlessly, and qualifying positions were decisive.`

Stella added, `Lando pushed to close on Verstappen, but overtaking required a 0.7 to 0.8 second advantage. Normally, tire degradation creates this gap, but Suzuka`s new tarmac eliminated high degradation, leading to easy one-stop races with limited strategy.`

He further explained, `Typically, tires add variability. Circuits with high degradation can create half-second lap time differences due to tire management. This year, this variable was absent due to minimal tire degradation.`

Shanghai`s track resurfacing also contributed to similar race characteristics two weeks prior. Fernando Alonso noted that F1 drivers often find reasons to complain.

Alonso stated, `One-stop races might be less exciting than multi-stop races with tire differences. But, we often complain about lack of grip or excessive tire stops. Instead of focusing on negatives, we should appreciate the great Suzuka weekend, especially Saturday`s high-adrenaline qualifying.`

Possible Solutions for More Exciting Races

While dirty air is a recurring issue, the 2022 rule changes did narrow team performance gaps. At Suzuka qualifying, the gap between Oscar Piastri`s McLaren (fastest in Q1) and Hulkenberg (16th) was under a second, highlighting increased competition.

With such tight margins, limited overtaking is expected, especially with Suzuka`s 0.8-second overtake advantage requirement. The 2025 Japanese GP, despite fewer overtakes, was closer than the 2024 race, where Verstappen`s lead over the third-place non-Red Bull was 20 seconds.

If overtaking remains difficult with the field so close, the championship might become more about qualifying than race action.

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur said, `Qualifying is always crucial, especially with tighter gaps. It becomes more of a `quali` championship because you`re racing within a close group.`

The Bahrain round will better assess F1`s overtaking problem. Sakhir`s abrasive surface and layout offer more overtaking opportunities and tire degradation, potentially leading to more action.

Alonso concludes that some races will naturally be less eventful, and appreciating each circuit`s unique features is important.

`Suzuka has always been like this. I don`t remember many overtaking-filled races here without weather changes. We consistently praise Suzuka and Monaco pre-race for their glamour and spectacle, then post-race we criticize them as boring. This is Formula 1. Suzuka is fantastic, especially for its high-adrenaline Saturday.`