Current F1 cars making overtaking more difficult - Daniel Ricciardo
Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo believes the width of modern Formula 1 cars plays a part in making overtaking more difficult
A noticeable drop in overtaking opportunities has been apparent since F1 shifted back to wider, high-downforce cars in 2017, and the 2018 season opener in Melbourne provided just five genuine on-track passes after the first lap.
Much has been made of the aero and its effect on a following car, but Ricciardo said the wider stance of the cars was also reducing passing opportunities.
"I feel now with the wide tyres and wide cars, they already take up a lot of space on the track," he told Autosport.
"It's hard to find clean air. It's getting to a point where I think some racetracks are going to be hurt by the racing. There's not going to be much.
"I think narrower cars were great. It's like motorbikes, because they're so narrow there's always room to get past. And they lap 30 seconds slower than us.
"I think it proves it's not necessarily about the lap time. We do need the raceability, because that's the spectacle."
According to Ricciardo, the 2014 version of the lower-downforce cars used between 2009 and '16 hit the sweet spot in terms of racing and lap time.
"They were slow for our standards, but for a spectator they don't know necessarily that much different," he said.
"But the racing... you could follow, you could pass. As far as overtakes went, I thought 2014 was good.
"Aerodynamically, they're very strong now. You see the sidepods of the car, there's so many bits. It looks sick, but all it means is the car behind is going to get pretty messed up.
"It's at a point now where at Barcelona, we were going fast. Turn 2, 3, was full, Turn 9 was full.
"It's impressive, but the faster we go, the harder it's going to be to overtake and the harder it's going to be to follow close.
"So do we want to see cars doing 1m22s as opposed to 1m25s, but not being able to race on Sunday? Or do you want to see slower cars but they can race?
"They still need to be fast but there's a balance."
Ricciardo also said a simplification of engine regulations is the place to start if F1 wants to save on costs.
"I don't understand a simple engine, but these ones I definitely don't," he said.
"I think a lot of money's invested in that and it's not really for much reason.
"With some of the stuff, the automotive industry can learn a little bit. But I think there's a lot [of money] wasted in how technical it all is, and it doesn't sound good.
"So probably the power unit is the place to start [cost-saving]. And then I don't know.
"Less engines? We've got that now.
"They cut testing to save money but then everybody just built multi-million dollar simulators."
Toro Rosso: Honda has 'big plan' to prove its F1 engine is 'proper'
Magnussen: Dallara has upped its game in F1 partnership with Haas
Why departing WTCR is a world cup that will be missed
The 2022 World Touring Car Cup finale in Jeddah last weekend was also the end of an era as the championship that traces its roots back to 2005 calls time. But what will it mean for the future of the TCR platform, and for its newly-crowned champion Mikel Azcona?
Ricciardo sometimes "a little too lost" in McLaren F1 difficulties in 2022
Daniel Riccardo says he was sometimes "a little too deep and a little too lost" when analysing his struggles at McLaren over the past two Formula 1 seasons.
Number 1 returns to Supercars grid as part of Holden tribute
The number 1 will return to the Supercars grid for the first time in four years this weekend as part of a Holden tribute from Triple Eight.
Inside Aston Martin's new £200m 'game changer' F1 factory
Ever since Lawrence Stroll revealed his plan to bring the Aston Martin name back fully to Formula 1, the team's ambitions have been anything but small.
The physical focus bringing out the best of an F1 midfield star
Esteban Ocon likes to point out he’s the first driver since Lewis Hamilton to emerge from a spell as Fernando Alonso’s team-mate with a superior overall points record. While some may disagree, as LUKE SMITH discovered, the 2021 Hungarian GP winner reckons it’s not just luck which has made him France’s pre-eminent Formula 1 driver of the moment…
How Red Bull's dynamic leader shaped its F1 philosophy
The death of Dietrich Mateschitz last month has not only deprived Red Bull of its visionary founder, it has shorn Formula 1 of one of its most influential benefactors. Mateschitz himself was famously media-shy, preferring to let the brand do the talking on his behalf. And, while it’s now normal to speak of Red Bull F1 titles and champions made, Mateschitz never assumed it would be easy or even possible – as ANTHONY ROWLINSON discovered during this previously unpublished interview from 2006…
Can Mercedes break Formula 1's cycle of doom?
OPINION: Teams that have dominated for long periods throughout Formula 1's history often take years to get back to the top of the tree once they've slipped down. But it remains to be seen whether the same will happen to Mercedes after a challenging 2022 season
What hurt Perez most in his ill-fated fight for second in Abu Dhabi
Arguably the favourite in the battle to finish second best in 2022's Formula 1 standings, Sergio Perez's two-stop strategy at Abu Dhabi couldn't take him ahead of Charles Leclerc when the music stopped - and several key factors ultimately precluded him from the much-coveted runner-up spot
The Abu Dhabi momentum that can propel Leclerc and Ferrari to F1 2023 success
OPINION: Charles Leclerc achieved his target of sealing runner-up in the 2022 world championship with a masterful drive behind Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi. And that race contained key elements that may help him, and Ferrari, go one better in Formula 1 2023
How Verstappen's record-breaking 2022 season compares to the F1 greats
The 2022 Formula 1 season will be remembered as a record book rewriting Max Verstappen masterclass, a completely different challenge to his maiden world championship last year, and a clear sign he is still raising his own level. But where does it stack up against the all-time great F1 campaigns?
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Driver Ratings
The 2022 Formula 1 season came to a close at the Yas Marina Circuit, where the battle for second in the standings was decided, the wins in a season record extended and a retiring four-time world champion bowed out on a high. Here's how we rated the drivers
The factors that stopped Perez catching Leclerc in Verstappen's Abu Dhabi triumph
Max Verstappen ended the 2022 Formula 1 season in fitting fashion with a dominant drive to victory in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. But behind him, early season rival Charles Leclerc achieved his target of securing the runner-up spot with a well-executed a one-stop strategy to beat Sergio Perez, whose pursuit on a two-stop strategy was hampered by several critical factors