Formula 1’s Overtaking Crisis: A Growing Concern at Suzuka and Beyond

The Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka this Sunday saw a lackluster race, with Max Verstappen winning from pole position. This trend of limited overtaking has become a recurring issue at Suzuka, echoing the same concerns raised about Monaco in recent years.

The Overtaking Dilemma at Suzuka and Monaco

F1 enthusiasts often praise Suzuka and Monaco for their unique challenges and glamour. However, on race days, these tracks have been criticized for being won by drivers who secure the best starting positions. Fernando Alonso, a two-time F1 world champion, expressed his concerns about this trend at Suzuka.

I don’t remember a race here where we saw too many overtakes without the weather changing,” said Alonso, who finished 11th for Aston Martin on Sunday. He fears that Suzuka may be following in Monaco’s footsteps, turning into a race where success is largely determined by qualifying performance.

Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur also voiced his concerns, suggesting that the 2022 season could become a “quali world championship” if the trend of struggling to overtake continues. This concern arises from the convergence in car design and teams finding loopholes around rules intended to promote more overtaking.

Across 2024, there were 70 fewer overtakes than the previous year, despite two additional grands prix. All four races in 2025 have been won from pole position, raising questions about the future of exciting racing in F1.

Alonso’s Perspective on the Overtaking Crisis

Alonso, reflecting on the Japanese Grand Prix, admitted that “maybe one stop was not the race we were hoping for.” He suggested that instead of focusing on the negative aspects, fans should enjoy the racing experience.

The final year of the current regulations is upon us, and it remains to be seen how F1 will address this overtaking crisis. Alonso encourages fans to appreciate the adrenaline-pumping qualifying sessions at Suzuka, which he describes as “incredibly high adrenaline.

The Bahrain Grand Prix marks the start of a triple-header for F1, with the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix scheduled for next week. Let’s hope that these races will bring more excitement and overtaking opportunities to Formula 1.