Brawn: 'Active suspension could help overtaking'

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Formula 1 sporting manager Ross Brawn believes a return to 'active suspension' could help spice-up overtaking and the overall spectacle of racing.

Australia instilled more fears that racing could be stagnant this season with overtaking difficulties considered the main culprit.

But last weekend's action-packed Chinese GP demonstrated that while passing was not an easy task, and not meant to be, it was genuinely possible.
"The goal must be that overtaking is basically possible but still difficult," Brawn contends.

But F1's sporting boss is still concerned there will be more races like Melbourne in 2017, with the main problem being the way the cars currently create a big aerodynamic wake.

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However, F1 is fundamentally stuck with its basic overall car concept until 2020.

"In the long run, we have to make sure that the wings don't create so much turbulence. But in the short term we need other ideas," he told Auto Motor und Sport.

One potential solution is bringing back active suspension, which was banned all the way back in 1993.

"The problem with following a car is that the balance changes," said Brawn. "That could be prevented with active suspension."

Formula 1 sporting manager Ross Brawn believes a return to 'active suspension' could help spice-up overtaking and the overall spectacle of racing.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.