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According to data published by F1's tyre manufacturer Pirelli, overtaking fell by 47% in 2017. Before the season got underway, fans and drivers feared that overtaking would be increasingly difficult due to the new regulations creating more dirty air.
Indeed, drivers found it very difficult to follow their competitors at some tracks, leading to a number of complaints throughout the season. Information dished out by Pirelli states that 435 overtaking manoeuvres were completed in the 2017 season, an average of 21.75 per race.
These figures are down massively from the 866 overtakes that were performed in 2016, an average of 41.23 per race. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix was the race that saw the most overtakes this year, with 42 featuring in the hectic race. In Sochi, at the Russian Grand Prix, just a single pass was recorded.
Daniel Ricciardo holds the honour of having made the most moves stick throughout the season, a total of 43. At the British Grand Prix, he clocked in 13 overtakes, which is also the most for any driver throughout the entire season.
Ricciardo's teammate Max Verstappen was joined by Lewis Hamilton on top of the list for drivers who were overtaken the least. Both the Dutchman and the four-time world champion saw themselves slip behind another driver just twice this year.
Fergal Walsh
Grand Prix of Belgium
C. Sainz jr
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f1dave
Posts: 782
Mostly due to the fact that the tires needed saving.