The topic has been in the spotlight since the Baku weekend, with relatively few overtakes in the sprint and Sunday’s race.

Several drivers blamed the shortened DRS zone in Azerbaijan. However, there is also a bigger picture where the cars are becoming increasingly difficult to keep up as teams develop their aerodynamic packages in line with regulations introduced in early 2022.

Additionally, the mechanics of the current breed produce less slipstream than their predecessors.

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Steiner insisted the series had to address the issue and find out why the pass rate for the new rule was lower than expected.

“I think we need to start looking at why overtaking is harder,” he said. “Maybe it has something to do with how the floor has changed from last year to this year.

“Maybe it has to do it just because everyone has more downforce now, which makes following always worse. It could be a combination.

“We need to be mindful that we’re not going to change the regulations again next August because that would be annoying because you invest a lot of money and develop the car and then ‘oh, now we need to change or we change now or we don’t change ‘.

“Or not now, in the near future. Obviously it needs to be brought on the table and not tried to push it away as if nothing ever happened.”

Asked about the growing difficulty of following cars, Steiner said recent complaints from on and off teams underscored that the difficulties were not reflected in individual car designs.

Guenther Steiner, Haas F1 Team Principal

Photography: Andy Horn / motorsport pictures

“I think we were among the first to speak out,” he said. “Because our driver complained a lot that it was worse than the ’22 car, we were told it was mostly our car.

“But I think everyone is following suit now and saying it’s harder.

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“In the beginning, we were standing there alone, and they actually said that it was difficult for only one or two teams, and maybe they were going in the wrong direction.

“I think in general, with the regulatory changes last year, things haven’t gotten better. Then the other thing is shortening the DRS zone. I’m trying to figure out why we did that.

“Honestly, I haven’t found the answer yet. I don’t know why it was decided that way because I don’t think it’s dangerous, it’s just my opinion.

“If someone explains why it’s dangerous, I’m ready to listen, but I’ve never had an answer like that.”

Asked by Autosport whether it will inevitably get harder as teams develop their kit, Steiner agreed that downforce is a key factor.

“I think we know from history that you’re always developing, and when you’re trying to find more downforce, it’s always going to hurt whoever is running behind,” he said.

“They (the aerodynamicists) are trying to make the car go faster, it increases downforce, they don’t worry if you can’t keep up, because if you’re slow because you have a good wake, you can’t keep up Get on anyone, you didn’t overtake anyway.”