The Difference Between Being Eliminated in Q1, Q2, and Pole Position | F1 2023 Ghost Laps
An animation comparing Piastri, Ocon, and Verstappen in qualifying at the 2023 Australian GP! Although track evolution would play a role in differences in laptime, it's highly unlikely that Piastri/McLaren would find another 1.7 seconds even with ideal conditions and unlimited laps.
This comparison shows that despite the FIA's best efforts to reduce the differences in the field, the gap between the front and back of the grid still remain excessively large, even though we're in the second season of the current formula.
Hopefully with stable regulations this gap can continue to close. But as of right now, the cost cap and wind tunnel regulations (among others) haven't really made F1 that much more competitive.
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