Overtaking

Overtaking is an integral part of any motor racing event, and, of course F1. Process of getting past an opponent is called overtaking. Overtaking could be done at the very start of the grand prix, during the dash towards the first corner, or when the race is on. Drivers get past one another in the pitlane too, but that is not exactly the overtaking. Real overtaking is cars passing each other on the track.

Great overtaking needs high skills. Overtaking is always closely monitored by the officials and any driver driving dangerously attracts instant penalty.

Aerodynamic Factors
Aerodynamic factors have to be taken into account when talking of overtaking. When a racing car gets closer to the rear of an opponent's car, it moves into the bubble of turbulent created by the moving car. The bubble produces a tow effect, mildly reducing the air resistance of the car behind. However, there is another aerodynamic effect. The reduced airflow acting on the wings of the second car will dramatically decreases aerodynamic downforce. The grip of the car's tyres on earth will loosen.

Defensive Driving
Successful passing moves are often made under braking. If the car and driver behind have more braking power to call on, they can overtake. Confident drivers can overtake mid-corner by taking a radically different line to the car in front. The driver ahead tries to pick braking points and cornering lines. He has to hold off an opponent by adopting a defensive driving style. This means reducing the angle available for the car behind to use going into corners. This is a justifiable form of racing, and using it, a driver can successfully hold off a faster driver. Narrowing the car behind's angle through corners could force it to take a later apex and even run wide and this could result in the slower car again gaining front position.

Picking up Cornering Lines
In overtaking battles the driver in front's best defense is his ability to pick braking points and cornering lines. A skilful driver can hold off an opponent by adopting a defensive driving style, typically this means reducing the angle available for the car behind to use going into corners where there is a substantial risk of being passed. Providing that the driver ahead only changes his line once going into a corner (not deliberately attempting to block the car behind) this is a perfectly justifiable form of racing, and with it a driver in an inferior car can successfully hold off a faster rival.

Slower Car Getting in Front
Narrowing the car behind's angle through corners can also force it to take a later apex and even run wide, even if it has successfully made the pass - and this can result in the slower car getting back in front again! A side-effect of this defensive driving is that it tends to slow both drivers down, which is why you often see these close battles dropping away from cars ahead.