New regulations for 2022 are specifically aimed at improving the landscape and increasing overtaking by reducing the car’s turbulent wake, with a focus on generating downforce from the floor.

But while the gap between the teams has narrowed since last year, producing one of the most competitive midfields in recent history, the scene on the track remains fraught.

A decidedly underwhelming Azerbaijan Grand Prix has brought back the spotlight on how this batch of cars performed. Several drivers questioned why the DRS zone on Baku’s main straight was shortened after a race that was nearly impossible to pass despite the length of the straight.

The Red Bull duo of Verstappen and Perez proved to be the exception, as their RB19’s extremely efficient DRS unit and superb top speed allowed them to easily outpace Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari.

But even they concede that overtaking has become more difficult than last year due to the extra downforce the teams have put on the car. They warned the situation would only get worse if the current rules were maintained.

“I think (overtaking) has definitely become a bit more difficult this year,” Perez said. “These cars generate more downforce, and by generating more downforce, it’s harder for the cars behind to keep up.

“So, in my opinion, shortening the DRS is not the right thing to do because it’s already harder to overtake than it was last year. So that’s something we should review.”

Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB18, passed Ferrari F1-75’s Charles Leclerc at the start to take the lead. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB18 and Carlos Sainz, Ferrari F1-75 follow

Photography: Andy Horn / motorsport pictures

Verstappen added: “Yes, like Checo said, I think the more downforce we generate – of course, every year – the harder it will be if you keep the same rules.”

But according to the Dutchman, it’s not just dirty air that’s at play. The increasing weight of the car – to reach 798kg by 2023 – and the stiffer suspension needed to take advantage of ground effect make it harder to attack.

“The weight of the cars we have now, because they’re heavy, it’s harder to keep up at low speeds (in corners),” Verstappen explained.

“Once you have a tiny moment with that weight, it becomes a bigger slide. It’s harder on the tires, so your tires are more prone to overheating.

“And with this new class of cars, you have to make them really hard, and I remember like in 2015 or ’16, you could sometimes (take) a few different routes. You could run curbs because the car was very — well , not soft – but it’s still a lot softer than what we’re running now.

“There are a couple of different techniques and routes you can use, but it’s really, really hard right now because the car doesn’t allow that.”