Fernando Alonso has bemoaned the lack “risk” he perceives in F1 overtaking, believing drivers do not require “talent” to pass rivals.
With the new 50:50 power output from the power units, if a driver deploys their battery power, it can leave them exposed on a following straight as they will have 50% less power whilst the system recharges.
It effectively leaves them as “a sitting duck” on the next straight and unable to defend.
During the British GP weekend, Kimi Antonelli roared past Lewis Hamilton on the Hangar Straight during the Sprint race to take victory, whilst Hamilton was also locked in a battle with George Russell during the race.
After Hamilton had deployed his battery into Copse to pass around the outside, he then had no battery power through Maggots, Becketts, and Chapel, with Russell then coming back past on to the run to Stowe.
It is this requirement to “press one button” to overtake that Alonso believes has reduced the art of wheel-to-wheel combat.
“I saw a bit of the race, and a bit of the Sprint and people overtaking in the middle of the straight with more battery,” Alonso told media, including RacingNews365.
“So there is not any driver input, or driver talent needed to overtake a car in front of you.
“You don’t need to out-brake anyone, you don’t need to overtake on the outside, you don’t need to take any risk.
“You just need to press one button, and you will overtake if you have a better power unit.”