You said: “In past seasons, dominant car and driver combinations had to also contend with dirty air as they progressed through the field”.

NOT SO!  Look at how many time Hamilton won from pole.  He didn’t have dirty air until he got to the back markers who under blue flag, are obliged to get out of the way.

Nah fuck that. F1 has always been about who can build the best car, which inevitably leads to a lack of parity. If you want parity go watch a spec series.

Totally agree.  Check the qualifying times.  Even Williams is well within the old 107% rule.  It wasn’t too many years ago that some teams were in real danger of failing to make the cut and be excluded from the race.