Fernando Alonso says it is in the nature of Formula 1 that there is a lack of overtaking maneuvers throughout the grid.
After last weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the amount of overtaking opportunities during the races was discussed.
F1 cars have relied on DRS to complete moves in recent years, but zones have been shortened for a number of events this year, including at this weekend’s round of Miami.
Drivers were critical of the shorter DRS zones last time out in Miami and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly has urged F1 not to make them any shorter compared to 2022.
But amid the concerns, Alonso suggested it was normal for F1 to have a lack of overtaking opportunities.
“That’s Formula 1, it’s always been like that, [it] is seven years ago [of Lewis] Hamilton and [Valtteri] Bottas first and second was in the past [Sebastian] Vettel and [Mark] weaver.
“When you have the fastest car you start a little behind and maybe take a few more moves and overtake, and when you’re in a lot of other cars we’re all within a tenth or so.
“So where you [are] In qualifying you are more or less safe in this position and after lap two or three there are not many overtaking maneuvers left.
“Maybe we can see some here so it may change on Sunday. To [not] see many overtake [moves] It’s in the nature of Formula 1 and shouldn’t come as a surprise.”
Last year F1 introduced brand new technical regulations aimed at reducing dirty air and improving overtaking opportunities.
Red Bull was dominant during this period, winning 21 of the 26 races held under the revised rules.
However, Alonso says it is too early to judge whether or not the regulations have been a success.
“I think there were high expectations of following the cars and having the grid a little closer together but I don’t know, I think we need to take a little more time,” he said.
“If we didn’t have the Red Bulls so far up front, I think it’s a very interesting fight with three or four teams in a tenth or two [of each other] and we say the new rules are a success.
“Maybe that’s the story in a few years or whatever when we have some stability on the rules – so maybe in 2026 it all changes again.”
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