Pretty much, but at least through last season, they were so aero-dependent for grip that getting caught in the draft was often a bad situation approaching the corners.

Last year's cars sprouted so many aero doodads -- multi-element front wings, barge boards behind the front wheels that looked like they were poured from liquid, little winglets and slats all over the body... not a square inch was left untouched by wind tunnel experimentation. FIA tried to reduce grip by making the teams use tires with grooves in them, but the car designers kept finding ways to compensate with more downforce.

Now they're back to slick tires, with tall, narrow rear wings and low, wide, simpler front wings. The cars can't have as many aero gizmos on the body, either. FIA's intent was to force the cars to be less dependent on aerodynamics and more dependent on mechanical grip, which was supposed to allow more drafting and old-school passing -- in short, closer racing. For the most part, that's how this season has been going.

/end thread hijack