Video: Top 5 best overtakes of the 2017 season

Certainly, the number of overruns during the 2017 season of Formula 1 fell by 49% compared to last year (435 against 866) but the introduction of new rules in terms of aerodynamics forced the pilots to redouble their ingenuity to overcome a rival. In the end, here is a selection, necessarily subjective, of the five most beautiful maneuvers seen in the race.

5. Hamilton-Alonso in Mexico
Two world champions scrapping for an innocuous 9th place, but what a duel between Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) and Fernando Alonso (McLaren) in Mexico. It is not so much the repeated attack of the Mercedes driver that impresses, but rather the valiant defense of the Spaniard, forced to delay his braking at the latest to catch up with a poor top speed.

4. Hag-Bottas in Spain
A blow to the right, a blow to the left, to finally go back inside, go at 330 km/h in the grass and outflank his opponent. This is the unprecedented sequence produced by Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) On Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) during the Spanish Grand Prix. But after being slowed down by the Silver Arrow, the German will lose his leading position to Lewis Hamilton.

3. Vettel-Ricciardo in China
Vettel again, but this time his victim is called Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull), which is not a partridge. The overrun dates back to April in Shanghai (China), so to refresh your memory, here is the video extract. Note wheel friction upon reacceleration:

2. Sainz Jr-Pérez in the United States
The characteristic of a beautiful surpassing is to surprise us. The maneuver of Carlos Sainz Jr (Renault) On Sergio Pérez (Force India) on the Austin circuit (Texas) is the perfect illustration of this. The Spaniard, who had been honking behind the Mexican for a few laps, stayed on course on the outside of the impressive curve of turns 16-17-18 to overcome the car pink the next time you brake. And unlike Max Verstappen (Red Bull), both men remained within the limits of the track…

1. Ricciardo-Räikkönen in Italy
The smiling Australian made the first corner of the Monza circuit (Italy) his favorite spot. Valtteri Bottas paid the price in 2016; a year later, his compatriot Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) suffered theextremely late braking by Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull). The latter came out of nowhere, and the most impressive thing about it was that both men passed the chicane without a hitch. An exceptional, clean overtake, without forcing the opponent to cut the corner.