Alonso: Overtaking will still be tough

**vcs316** · 31st January 2011, 04:00

Fernando Alonso has played down fears that the 2011 rules will make overtaking too easy and even too prevalent.

In the latest attempt to increase the level of action in Formula 1, the teams have agreed that the power-boosting KERS devices can return, and have introduced a new system under which the rear wing can be adjusted to reduce drag and increase straightline speed when a car is within a certain distance of a rival's rear wing.

But Alonso thinks that with the issues of turbulent air often preventing cars getting close together in the first place, it won't be easy for drivers to get within the required range to trigger the wing device.

"The mobile rear wing can only be used on one straight on a lap, so the most important thing would be to arrive at the last corner with less than 1.5 seconds behind the car in front, which is really difficult," he said.

"I don’t see the possibility of many overtaking manoeuvres.

"I think that it will still be difficult to overtake.

"And overtaking will still include taking risk."

He agreed with concerns that the new devices - all of which have to be operated by the drivers using steering wheel controls - were making driving F1 cars more mentally taxing.

"I think more than anything else that all these commands make driving more difficult," Alonso said.

"It’s much more difficult than you can imagine driving a Formula 1 single-seater.

"As of this year there are two more buttons: to control the wing and the KERS.

"Driving a GT is much more fun and you can concentrate more on driving."

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.a...49943&PO=49943

**NJB13** · 31st January 2011, 04:26

You know what, I think Fernando loves this new rear wing thing. He has to be the most complete F1 driver around, but, if he has a weakness, and I am speaking relative to his other skills, it would be overtaking. I think Fernando is playing this down just like Seb saying it was too dark to race while Lewis was saying the light was fine in Korea last year. Simply saying what suits them.

There's nothing wrong with him doing that, but, honestly, I hate this device and I wish and hope they ban it before the season starts.

**Rishu** · 31st January 2011, 05:22

On the contarary IMHO, overtaking is Fernando's strength, I mean a guy can overtake MS driving a Ferrari at 130R from outside speaks about his ability when it comes to overtaking. Nurburgring 2007 also was a great maneuver.
In my opinion, lifting the ban on refuelling would result in lot of overtaking maneuvers.

**scuderiafan** · 31st January 2011, 09:48

Originally Posted by NJB13

You know what, I think Fernando loves this new rear wing thing. He has to be the most complete F1 driver around, but, if he has a weakness, and I am speaking relative to his other skills, it would be overtaking. I think Fernando is playing this down just like Seb saying it was too dark to race while Lewis was saying the light was fine in Korea last year. Simply saying what suits them.

There's nothing wrong with him doing that, but, honestly, I hate this device and I wish and hope they ban it before the season starts.

To be honest, I think Fernando is a great overtaker, just not as good as Lewis. His recovery drives at the start of the year speak for themselves.

I just think that it is not what he is best known for, as everyone seems to have a breakdown whenever Lewis has an overtake, but it is a downplayed skill.

**NJB13** · 31st January 2011, 09:50

Originally Posted by Rishu

On the contarary IMHO, overtaking is Fernando's strength, I mean a guy can overtake MS driving a Ferrari at 130R from outside speaks about his ability when it comes to overtaking. Nurburgring 2007 also was a great maneuver.
In my opinion, lifting the ban on refuelling would result in lot of overtaking maneuvers.

Just to qualify what I said, I don't think that Fernando is not good/great at overtaking. I just think, that compared to the rest of his skills, maybe that isn't his strongest asset.

I just detest this new "magic opening rear wing" thingy so much.

**Grillo** · 31st January 2011, 16:04

I consider myself that Lewis is probably the best at taking risks and overtaking but last year he had the F-duct so he managed a few overtakings he wasn't able to do once other teams had copied the device.