The current aero package, introduced in 2022, was intended to make it easier to follow and hence overtake than under the previous regulations.
That initially proved to be the case but in the third year of car development drivers are reporting dirty air is increasingly becoming an issue and following is becoming harder once more.
Mercedes technical director James Allison has questioned the focus on controlling wakes in the current rules, calling it a “tilting at windmills type of challenge.”
Encouraging overtaking will again be addressed in the 2026 rules, which are still being debated.
“I don't think the regulations have failed,” said Vowles when asked by Autosport if changes were needed for the last season of the current rules in 2025.
“I think that would be wholeheartedly unfair. I think the competition is pretty tight in the midfield. There is overtaking that takes place.
“I think even on the data that we can see now, it's still better than the ‘21, ‘20 generations of cars. But especially the leading pack have developed the car in an extraordinary way that as you develop downforce, it is making it harder to follow.
Source: Autosport