But why is that? It isn't just because one team has driven off into the sunset - here are some of the drivers' theories on what's making overtaking harder and our views on them 👀
1⃣ Aero development means it's already too hard to follow again:
'The primary aim of the regulations was to reduce the outwash effect that creates the ‘dirty air’ that is such an impediment to F1 cars following closely.'
'Drivers are reporting that the latest iteration of Pirelli’s F1 tyre is too prone to overheating when closely following another car, while also not degrading enough in normal circumstances to create performance variation.'
'In both Baku and Miami, DRS zones are being shortened in length for 2023. Drivers are convinced that was a major factor in the flatness of the Azerbaijan GP.'
5⃣ Less nimble cars make creative overtaking harder:
'As cars get heavier and set-ups get stiffer to maximise the ground-effect downforce, the scope for using kerbs aggressively when taking alternative lines to set up passing moves is decreasing.'