As 71 years of F1 has told us one thing, is that tight seasons, like 2012 (and also 2021), happen when the technical regulations are stable for a couple of years. Unfortunately, every time the technical regulations, either chassis, aero or engine, change in significant way, the teams are further apart than before. Not necessarily in the same order.
And to make it worse, budget cap will, more than before, slow down the development race and prevent others to catch up.
I'm so hoping I'm wrong, but going by history I'm probably not.