Passing in F1 this Year???

Something you can't help but think about... So after seeing most of the 05 cars, do you guys think the long promised overtaking will return this year? Or is it going to be another pass in the pits season? I think it was at Shanghai that one of the commentators mentioned max downforce in 05 will be equal that of what they were running at Monza, would be cool at Monaco if it is true...

I personally don't think the FIA has brought back the 1980s with what looks to be a pretty half hearted attempt to bring back passing in F1, but by hyping it up to the moon at least there coveted viewership stats should be high. Any thoughts guys?

 

I dont expect to see any more passing than we saw last year. That being said, when the coverage on Speed focused on the players behind say 4th place there was alot of passing and racing going on. Lets hope there is a bit more excitement at the front.....and that the Fcars lead at the Flag!!!

 

I thought this was interesting. It's from forix.com and shows the average number of passes per grand prix since 1980.
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This is interesting, but I wonder how accurate this is or at least how it was measured? It looks ridiculously low, so how do they count a pass? If you get repassed it doesn't count or if you drop out it doesn't count? And what does one pass mean exactly, just one other car?

I'm just thinking of the amazing starts by Renault last year where e.g. Trulli overtook several drivers at the start to the Spanish GP. Doesn't each driver count as one pass?

Anyway, this statistic looks way too low.

 

I think the increase in # of passes from 2003 onwards is due to the mixed grids that are a result of qualifying on race fuel. The sad part was in 2004 the passes were all in mid-field and not at the front.

 

It must be for lead changes only, including pit stops.

 

That seems about right. I have a subscription to Forix myself and highly regard them as accurate, but there is a lot more passing going on in F1 than say 5 per race.