With all the potential excitement of the new season there may be one unfortunate thing. There may be less overtaking. Perhaps this is why we look to be getting variable tire textures?

The reason for the change this year is not just the fact that everyone will be driving on the same tires though. The other factor is the engines.

Last year with engine reliability at a premium because of the two race distance requirement the teams kept their revs limited most of the time. But in cases where they needed to pass someone they could turn the wick up. The so called push to pass.

The difference is that this year the revs will be limited by the FIA rather than by the teams. And so push to pass will be gone.

Of course you could ask the question: how important is overtaking in formula one?