137 Overtaking Maneuvers in First 3 Races of 2011

Bernie Ecclestone must be rubbing his hands after the first few races of the 2011 Formula 1 season, as all the changes he has masterminded for this year's campaign have worked effectively in one particular area (maybe the most important for us, the fans): overtaking. Ergo, a much better show and, consequently, boosting audiences across the world.

The introduction of highly degradable and more aggressive tires from Pirelli had two major consequences for the 2011 season: multiple pitstop races (a chapter that we addressed in a previous report) and plenty of overtaking.

According to a report issued by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, there have been no less than 137 overtaking maneuvers in the first 3 races of the season, with the number of such moves increased from race to race.

The season started rather modest, with only 24 overtaking maneuvers in the Australian Grand Prix. That number more than doubled in the next event, in Malaysia, where the records show 45 passes. Finally, the icing on the cake was the Chinese Grand Prix, where no less than 68 overtaking maneuvers were performed.

Williams' Rubens Barrichello passed the most drivers in Melbourne (8), while Adrian Sutil and Mark Webber shared first place at that same chapter two weeks later, in Malaysia (7). Finally, in China, Webber was easily the overtaking-est driver in the field (13), having started the race from 18th place and finishing it on the podium.

The tires were not the only element that boosted overtaking in 2011, as the return of the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) and also the introduction of the Drag Reduction System (DRS) have also contributed a great deal to spicing up the show this year. The latter element can only be used on a certain portion of the race (on a main straight), as established by the FIA prior to the event in question.