Why have the powers that be added downforce rather than just increasing mechanical grip? Will we not be left with the same situation where cars can't follow close to one another without destroying tyres?

Alex Hughes, via Twitter

Alex, I wish I knew. You are correct that adding mechanical grip via the tyres would have been fine. If I had anything to do with it, I would have reduced aerodynamic grip.

The tyre problems in 2016 and before are not only caused by one car following another. The tyres themselves overheat very easily and following another car just exaggerates it.