Almost every track on the F1 calendar this year will have two DRS zones, according to German magazine Auto Motor und Sport.
Monaco and Suzuka will be the only venues on this year’s calendar to have a single DRS zone.
As of this year, drivers are only allowed to use DRS in the designated zones at all times. The number of zones has been increased to ensure teams still exploit the benefit of having DRS, which is designed to facilitate overtaking.
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, which originally had two DRS zones but was cut back to one last year as it made overtaking too easy, will have two again.
The changes to the tracks are as follows:
| Circuit | 2012 DRS zone/s | 2013 DRS zone/s |
|---|---|---|
| Albert Park | Pit straight and second straight | Pit straight and second straight |
| Sepang International Circuit | Pit straight | Pit straight and final straight |
| Shanghai International Circuit | Longest straight | Longest straight and pit straight |
| Bahrain International Circuit | Pit straight | Pit straight and straight to turn 11 |
| Circuit de Catalunya | Pit straight | Pit straight and straight to turn ten |
| Monte-Carlo | Pit straight | Pit straight |
| Circuit Gilles Villeneuve | Pit straight | Pit straight and final straight |
| Silverstone | Wellington straight | Wellington straight and Hangar straight |
| Nurburgring* | Straight before chicane | Pit straight and straight before chicane |
| Hungaroring | Pit straight | Pit straight and second straight |
| Spa-Francorchamps | Kemmel straight | Kemmel straight and pit straight |
| Monza | Pit straight and straight to Ascari | Pit straight and straight to Ascari |
| Singapore | Straight to turn seven | Straight to turn seven and pit straight |
| Korean International Circuit | Longest straight | Longest straight and pit straight |
| Suzuka | Pit straight | Pit straight |
| Buddh International Circuit | Pit straight and longest straight | Pit straight and longest straight |
| Yas Marina | Two longest straights | Two longest straights |
| Circuit of the Americas | Longest straight | Longest straight and pit straight |
| Interlagos | Reta Oposta straight | Reta Oposta straight and pit straight |
*Last used in 2011
Which tracks do you think need DRS zones? Vote here:
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Candice
6th March 2013, 12:25
car that lack straightline pace like Lotus will suffer
andae23 (@andae23)
6th March 2013, 12:28
Why? The decision to enhance the number of DRS zones only affects teams that somehow gain an advantage from DRS, like Red Bull and Mercedes last year with their now outlawed double DRS systems.
Force Maikel (@force-maikel)
6th March 2013, 12:34
I don’t think that’s 100% true. Some teams are still testing/using ‘legal’ passive versions of the DDRS.
andae23 (@andae23)
6th March 2013, 12:38
@force-maikel You mean the system Lotus pioneered and was copied by Red Bull and Sauber in testing? This system has absolutely nothing to do with DRS (the name DDRS is very misleading). It does give them a straight-line advantage, but it doesn’t favor them when the number of DRS zones is increased.
Jeanrien (@jeanrien)
6th March 2013, 14:17
@andae23 I would add that it gives them straight-line advantage if it’s not a DRS straight. In DRS zone, the wing is stalled and there is no need for the device (I still prefer that name over DDRS). So if the number of DRS zone increase, the interest for the device could drop …
Not sure having 2 DRS zone at most track is a good idea, I feel we will have lots of “pass by overtaking” which is not what we want.
andae23 (@andae23)
6th March 2013, 14:37
@jeanrien No: the DDRS (or DRD ‘device’) seen in testing stalls both the upper and lower element of the rear wing partially. DRS stalls only the upper element, but for its entirety. Not to mention that with a DRD the upper element still produces downforce and thus drag, which would be reduced by DRS. Also DRS works for all velocity ranges, in contrast to DRD which is activated at a high speed. So indeed with a DRD, DRS is less effective, but it still gives a significant reduction in aerodynamic drag.
Jeanrien (@jeanrien)
6th March 2013, 19:18
@andae23 thanks for the details, haven’t thought about that. And my main point was that having more DRS zone lower the interest for DRD which is a shame according to me, always great to see teams develop new stuff like that.
Optimaximal (@optimaximal)
6th March 2013, 12:40
They’re unrelated. The passive systems would operate using an airflow switch at various speeds to blow air onto the rear wing to stall it, but they’ve proven unreliable.
The outlawed systems in particularly were the ones that were secondary functions of the DRS activation.
NickTheGeek (@nickthegeek)
6th March 2013, 19:43
@jeanrien They need two because with only one teams would be tempted to gear the cars to hit the rev limiter under closed wing conditions meaning an open DRS would be worthless.
Jeanrien (@jeanrien)
6th March 2013, 22:21
@nickthegeek Once again that depends how we see it, it would open the possibilities and the diversity between teams which is a good thing as F1 tend to have them doing all the same choices (or almost) …
Furthermore, that would incitate teams to develop “the device” as they would gain more from it.
But I understand that as far as I like F1 development and I find it necessary to keep F1 attractive, it goes again the tendancy for cost limitation and only big teams could afford to develop working “device” while DRS is a know entity for all.
I’m not saying it’s bad though, I wait to see what it gives, I just hope it doesn’t make pass to easy. The tyre will probably already play a big part in that as the degradation is higher which mean the delta in speed between cars during a car would be higher in function of their tyres. So if you have 10 km/h difference from DRS + 10 from tyre, you can even wave your hand while passing another car.
And again, I hope I’m wrong or at least that F1 will keep all his panache
matt90 (@matt90)
6th March 2013, 12:28
Why? Last year saw fantastic racing, and the best of it happened away from the DRS zones. Are they completely incapable of basing a decision upon the results of the previous year?
bertie (@bertie)
6th March 2013, 13:42
They need to ensure people still investment time in developing DRS. If the gains were very small you may see cars not have it, similar to KERS.
Jeanrien (@jeanrien)
6th March 2013, 14:21
@bertie So what ? Let’s the team chose if they develop DRS or not … At least that would make a bit of liberty in the decisions for teams.
I rather have F1 with moderate DRS zone and great show (whatever with the decision of teams about developing it or not) than F1 with plenty of DRS zone, DRS system improved by the team (not even sure it will happens) and plenty of boring pass by overtaking with no show
So do they need that ? Surely not
matt90 (@matt90)
6th March 2013, 16:13
There is no development to DRS. It’s a flap. It took a few minutes to develop when it was first announced that teams would be allowed it, and hasn’t changed since then (other complex, and now banned systems aside).
jimscreechy (@)
7th March 2013, 6:11
I think DRS was a quick fix to the regulations to allow overtaking. When Mclaren came out with the F-duct the FIA quickly made plans to outlaw it for the follwoing season in favour of their sanitised DRS version. Once again, intelligent design and innovation highjacked by the F1 judiciary. However, I have to admit it did solve the rather unpleasant problem of the inability to overtake a slower paced car… which I think is a good thing. However, I think this problem surfaced largely because of the restrictions placed on KERS which was always the sensible alternative to DRS and rather more genuinely *ie through technological development* provided a solution to the problem. I don’t necessarily think they should do away with DRS immediately, but I have always though it more sensible to just remove all the KERs restrictions and allow teams to simply gain maximum effects from it that they can. This compulsion to restrict everything is counterproductive… the engines KERS, two of the most important elements that flatline the teams into scraping for titbits with areodynamics which is hugely more expensive with far more marginal dividends. The ‘Arms Race’ we have at the moment is stiffling development.
THOMF1S (@thomf1s)
6th March 2013, 12:29
Isn’t it about time the whole DRS concept was dropped? The cars do not really need any assistance in overtaking any more
wsrgo (@wsrgo)
6th March 2013, 12:37
+1….DRS is bringing F1 into disrepute,imho…..
Craig Woollard (@craig-o)
6th March 2013, 12:57
@thomf1s They clearly do. Do you remember pre-2011? Overtaking was a rarity.
Kodongo (@kodongo)
6th March 2013, 13:22
I think the point THOMF1s was trying to make is that of the three variables (KERS, DRS, and bubblegum tyres) which were introduced, Pirelli’s have enabled overtaking much more than the other two tools.
Slr (@slr)
6th March 2013, 13:26
DRS isn’t the only reason we have seen a significant increase in overtaking, also there are very few DRS passes which have since been hailed great overtakes.
Also I don’t believe overtaking was a rarity prior to 2011. Most races were still entertaining in my opinion and overtaking itself is not the only thing which makes races exciting.
q85
6th March 2013, 16:14
Does anyone remember the days when drivers like Alonso, montoya and schumacher could defend their position? No more.
THOMF1S (@thomf1s)
8th March 2013, 13:40
See the overtakes video on the BBC F1 site.
bertie (@bertie)
6th March 2013, 13:42
-1
Kingshark (@kingshark)
6th March 2013, 14:35
For goodness sake, the day DRS is dropped from F1 will be the best day in its history, since the day traction control was banned.
verstappen (@verstappen)
6th March 2013, 14:48
Yes. Agree.
I was looking forward to the season. Now I’m sad. World wide
wrestlingOvertaking again.Mads (@mads)
6th March 2013, 16:31
@kingshark
I agree. It will be such a happy moment. We might not see quite as much overtaking, but I think we will be much better off as a result.
mhop (@mhop)
6th March 2013, 17:16
+10000000000
M Dickens (@sgt-pepper)
6th March 2013, 23:23
(@thomf1s) +1.
melkurion (@melkurion)
6th March 2013, 12:31
This feels a little gimmicky to me…. We restricted DRS in qualifyign, now we need to justify it’s cost, so lets go triggerhappy on appointing zones….
I think this is WAY to optimistic, some tracks will benefit, others will not. By making these choices this early , they have ruled out the possibility of adjusting the DRS zones according to what we see on track. What if the first 2 races show that overtaking is actually doable, and that DS zones can be shorter because of it. Oh no wait, we made a descision in march to put TWO zones on this track, ah well… lets just make overtaking supereasy. Or hey . it’s way warmer than expected, trackconditions are different , but hey we already chose our zones in march, so let it go….
My point is that this way you lose to much flexibility with the DRS zones, and that’s a shame
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
6th March 2013, 12:34
@melkurion
This isn’t why they’ve increased the number of DRS zones this year.
When DRS was introduced the rationale behind allowing free use of it in qualifying was that it would encourage teams to set their gear ratios long enough to get maximum benefit from it, therefore meaning they would get enough benefit from using it in the races.
As that’s no longer the case (at the request of several drivers on safety grounds) they are increasing the number of DRS zones in the hope that it will still offer enough of an advantage for teams to gear their cars accordingly. See here:
Webber: DRS rules change won’t reduce overtaking
Two DRS zones per track necessary for 2013 – Lowe
melkurion (@melkurion)
6th March 2013, 12:48
@keithcollantine
True, but that’s the arguement I was trying to make, just more eloquently worded ;) They restricted it in qualifying, so now they need to show that it’s still worth doing.
Wether that is from a cost perspective or from a set-up perspective is in my opinion (as they say in thailand) same, same , but different :)
AceofSpades (@aceofspades)
6th March 2013, 12:33
Maybe they’re just trying to make up for the relative loss in speed in qualifying because of the no-DRS-all-the-way rule?
wsrgo (@wsrgo)
6th March 2013, 12:39
The FIA continues to ignore the views of the vast majority of F1 fans YET AGAIN….i feel insulted…
Optimaximal (@optimaximal)
6th March 2013, 12:42
Have you written them a formal letter expressing your displeasure or do you just rant on internet forums about the problem?
G (@unklegsif)
6th March 2013, 13:00
Brilliant!
I am off to shout at a brick wall in a sound-proof room, about how nobody ever listens to me :-)
G
W-K (@w-k)
6th March 2013, 13:56
If the FIA et al have done a survey of people who do NOT watch F1 and those people say “It’s boring, no overtaking.” are the FIA wrong to try and introduce more overtaking.
If this is the reason, then your only option is to become a retired F1 fan.
matt90 (@matt90)
6th March 2013, 17:30
If they do a survey of people who don’t watch, and take their opinions too seriously, then all they’re doing is trying to attract a group fundamentaly less interested in the sport at the cost of actual fans becoming disheartened.
Girts (@girts)
6th March 2013, 12:46
It seems that motorsport’s rule makers are united in the belief that DRS is the way to go. Formula Renault 3.5 Series cars featured it already last year and DTM are planning to implement the adjustable wing this year. I’m not really happy about this trend but I understand that some of the races would be completely dull without it. So I’m ready to tolerate the DRS as long as races aren’t turned into predictable overtaking orgies.
S2G-Unit (@s2g-unit)
6th March 2013, 12:57
Fine…..2 zones…….but please REDUCE the length of the zones. Why can’t they understand that?
On top of that you would think in 2013, they could have a system/GPS, whereby once the car using DRS pulls up along side it, the DRS is de-activated.
andae23 (@andae23)
6th March 2013, 13:08
That’s actually not a bad idea, though I think it will require a complex system. Maybe in the DRS zones themselves you have sensors that tell which car is leading which car, and as soon as the overtaking car passes one of these lines earlier than his prey, his DRS is disabled.
Continuing this speculation: what if the car that has been overtaken then gets DRS, and this will go back-and-forth until they reach the braking area. This could lead to some issues though: For instance, the first activation point must coincide with the detection point for this system to work, and I don’t know if this information can be processed fast enough.
vjanik
6th March 2013, 14:41
i think S2G meant it as a joke. At least i hope.
That would just be pure sacrilege. That would be like letting the FIA also remotely control the throttle and brakes. they would slow some cars down to increase overtaking. cool!
we should drop this whole concept that overtaking is what we want. i think the definition of an exciting race is more complicated than that.
In F1 if a part on the car doesnt bring you a benefit it goes off. period. Why are we changing the rules just for the sake of keeping it?
Sherlock
6th March 2013, 14:52
I doubt pilots would like that DRS get’s closed outside their control (when magic-GPS finds out you are already passed) – now they can control it themselfes either by braking or by pressing button – it gives the control to pilot.
Michael Brown (@)
6th March 2013, 19:32
What if the DRS would only stay open for a set time, say 2-3 seconds? The car behind passes the activation point and gets it for the allotted time, to ensure that the DRS gets the cars alongside and the DRS should close once they are side by side.
I prefer to keep DRS because we don’t get processional races but now it’s too easy to pass with it.
Max Jacobson (@vettel1)
6th March 2013, 16:18
Agreed. If the length of the zones is increased the number of dull, uninspiring overtakes will also increase. I understand why the rules have changed but that cannot be to the detriment of the racing, which I fear it may well be. If the DRS zone length remains constant between qualifying and the race though I fear to may very well do that.
sumedh
6th March 2013, 13:03
In Canada 2012, we had DRS on the straight after the hair pin, right? This straight is called “Final straight” or “Pit straight”?
Kodongo (@kodongo)
6th March 2013, 13:34
That straight is the final straight I think. The pit straight refers to the straight adjacent to the actual location of the pit crews and equipment. The easiest way to think of it is: wherever the start-finish line is located is the pit straight.
Craig Woollard (@craig-o)
6th March 2013, 13:04
Have people still failed to accept the fact that DRS is in F1? Have you forgotten why it was introduced in the first place? A car would get to about one second behind a slower car, and be held up due to the dirty air. The FIA then made a swap, front wings which can be used to increase downforce for rear wings which can be used to decrease downforce. Perfectly fine swap for me! No one can deny the racing over the last two years has been so much better than the 10 years previous. I tried watching some races from the mid-2000s a while back and they seem so dull compared to races of this era! F1 constantly changes, that’s a given. Don’t like it? Watch a different series.
Craig Woollard (@craig-o)
6th March 2013, 13:06
Meanwhile, back to the topic: two DRS zones at most tracks seems like the sensible idea really. Remember most tracks only have two decent-length straights for DRS to have much of an impact. Should make the racing a bit more interesting as well.
Mark Hitchcock (@mark-hitchcock)
6th March 2013, 13:16
Wasn’t DRS supposed to be a stop-gap while the teams/rule-makers figured out a better way to reduce the dirty air?
matt90 (@matt90)
6th March 2013, 17:33
Exactly.
UKF1rules
6th March 2013, 13:25
i think last year it was the tyres and teams not knowing how to use them that created the great racing, and overtaking in NON DRS zones. DRS is fake racing, its not as good as push to pass in other series, because not everyone has the same system.
G (@unklegsif)
6th March 2013, 14:54
There really is only so much mechanical grip that can be developed to hold the car to the track to such a level that affords it the performance to corner at the speeds we are used to. Aero is vital in the modern Formula, and cannot be replaced: its just an irony that its benefit is also its dissadvantage
Can you imagine the furore that would be created amongst all the fans if the FIA said “right, races are boring, so we are going to change the Formula to make it more interesting… new tyres, reduced aero, smaller rear wings, stuff to inject some actual overtaking in the races etc…. to make things more exiting for the fans and increase overtaking”
Oh, hang on….. havent they already done that
And STILL people whine on-and-on-and-on……
“The cars are ugly with the silly new wings”
“These new tyres are making things fake”
This DRS rubbish is rubbish”
Well Said Craig-o
G
q85
6th March 2013, 16:21
DRS was brought in so racers could close up the back of another car to enable them to have ago at overtaking.
Not create a passing lane.
They have removed the goal posts. and its totally unfair that a driver defending has no chance at all to defend. If DRS had been about in 2005 the imola race would not of been a classic as alonso would of pretty much just waved him past.
DRS zones or wing allowence MUST be shorter to do what they were intended for. It was never intended to be an overtaking tool, but an aid to get the cars closer.
Mads (@mads)
6th March 2013, 16:33
Great analogy. That sums up what they have done perfectly.
Mads (@mads)
6th March 2013, 16:54
@craig-o
I wouldn’t replace my girlfriend just because she suddenly caught the Bieber fever, but I would certainly not stay quiet about it either.
So I will continue to complain about DRS and its abuse until it’s solved or down to a level where I can accept it.
GT_Racer
6th March 2013, 21:16
Maybe people are turning off, Global TV figures were down last year & that included country’s where the TV broadcast situation had not changed.
The US for example, Despite having a USGP the Tv figures nosedived & there was a lot of criticism about the ‘new’ f1 on the speed channel forums.
In 2011 I would say that fan opinion was split relatively evenly on DRS, However through 2012 there was definitely a shift where it now seems the majority of F1 fans now dislike DRS & especially how its used.
I know a few people who liked DRS initially but are now firmly against it because they feel like its now having far too big an impact.
I’ve also seen a lot of criticism in Canada because DRS makes passing far too easy & none of the DRS-ing can actually be seen by any fans because there’s no grandstands down the straght & because of where the DRS zone is there is no longer any racing going on at the hairpin (Where most the fans are) because nobody wants to overtake into the hairpin because the DRS detection is on the exit.
michael bradshaw (@melonbeep)
6th March 2013, 13:09
Good bye F1… I was so looking forward to the new 2013 season but now with this i feel the racing will become far too fake.
Red Andy (@red-andy)
6th March 2013, 13:10
There are still DRS zones in areas where they’re not needed, for example the endless straights at Shanghai and Yeongam. In those sorts of places DRS is more or less a “free pass” for the trailing driver.
If we have to have this ridiculous joke of a system in place (rather than, say, doing something about the underlying reasons why F1 cars can’t overtake, such as masses of expensive and unnecessary aerodynamics) then at least the FIA could be sensible about where they put the DRS zones.
Cyberaxiom (@dave-m)
6th March 2013, 13:16
I’ve got no problem with two DRS zones in different parts of the circuit. But when they’re next to each other (e.g. at Sepang), why would anyone overtake in the first DRS zone when you know that you’ll be re-overtaken straight away in the DRS zone that immediately follows?
Craig Woollard (@craig-o)
6th March 2013, 13:19
@dave-m In that case you play strategically. Don’t overtake in the first zone, wait until the second one.
Timothy Katz (@timothykatz)
6th March 2013, 16:18
. . . so the first DRS zone is pointless, isn’t it?
Craig Woollard (@craig-o)
6th March 2013, 18:40
@timothykatz Not at all. Say you are approaching two cars, you can overtake one in the first DRS zone, and the other in the second.
q85
6th March 2013, 19:24
2 DRS’s are ok if it gives the guy that has just been past, a chance to pass back.
but for that they need 2 detection zones. will we have 2?
UKF1rules
6th March 2013, 13:21
what i dont like about drs…. teams with already high top speeds get the most gain from the system… ie mclaren and mercedes who often fly past the car infront at 15km/h faster. while teams like redbull with renault engines, the drs doesnt give anywhere near as much advantage, often not even near enough to have let the driver have a “dive down the inside” pass attempt. yes i know there are gearing and aerodynamic issues, but from the past 2 seasons, i have seen mclaren and mercedes drivers not have to worry about outbreaking cars while overtaking, because they are past halfway down the straight……. if the drs was made to only let the driver get close enough, and then still have to battle for the pass, then it would be a fair system. the worst thing when watching f1, with how competitive it is, is to see one car pass another half way down a straight, that does not liven up the show, it makes it more boring, as certain drivers are credited as being better overtakers then others because of nothing but a push of a button.
Chris H (@wolfie9985)
6th March 2013, 13:21
I fail to see how the pit straight at Singapore is even worthy of a DRS zone. Its not only too short, but the cars cant follow close enough through the last corner to even make use of it.
I would also argue that the “pit straight” at Interlargos hardly needs DRS as it produces plenty of overtaking into turn 1 anyway.
q85
6th March 2013, 16:30
exactly one of the passes of the season was alonso onto massa and webber at turn 1. with DRS that would of been boring.
BenH (@benh)
6th March 2013, 13:27
No idea why there isnt a 2nd DRS zone at Suzuka, right before 130R. Would be pretty epic and would hopefully lead to more lunges into the chicane if it was just enough to give the car behind a bit of extra speed coming round there.
gatekiller (@gatekiller)
6th March 2013, 13:37
I was thinking exactly the same thing. Surprised no-one else has raise this point. You could end the DRS zone just after 130R allowing the braver drivers to gain and advantage.
BenH (@benh)
6th March 2013, 13:40
I would say just before as those in anything but something like a Red Bull probably would not be able to use it through there safely, thus giving those that can a slightly unfair advantage.
bertie (@bertie)
6th March 2013, 13:45
Not sure it is wise encouraging overtaking on 130R.
tmekt (@tmekt)
6th March 2013, 14:10
Just think about Maldonado and Grosjean side by side in 130R
Mads (@mads)
6th March 2013, 16:59
@tmekt
The first thing that jumped into my head was this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqITGz-b11s
Craig Woollard (@craig-o)
6th March 2013, 18:41
+1
Aish Heydrich (@aish)
7th March 2013, 8:17
And the first thing that jumped into my head was this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yO8MdjqhFbQ&list=LLrFMbSbXOeujhHxATvG-eNQ
JB (@)
6th March 2013, 13:50
I totally disagree with this news because it totally anhialates the fact that drs was banned during qualy in the sectors where it is not permitted So this is basically saying…. that they are going to have 2 sectors where they can use it for qualy! So much for erasing some team´s advantages!
There is no need for 2 zones in all tracks because the whole idea of the pirelli tyres is to have higher grip… therefore cars can be closer together because of this and will ultimately traduce itself in proper racing so why 2 zones?
I have my opinion but will not say it so that i don´t create controversy but all in all, this is very sad news for F1…
tmekt (@tmekt)
6th March 2013, 14:20
What the heck are you talking about? There was no restrictions with DRS use in quali last year…
Some teams got an advantage in quali because their car produced more downforce and they could use DRS in some places that other teams with lower downforce couldn’t. This advantage will go away because they are now restricting the use of DRS in quali also.
JB (@)
6th March 2013, 14:53
@tmekt
Dude, I think you don´t understand what I mean… 2013 was to see the ban on drs use in qualy. It could be use only in the designated DRS zone… now, with this news of there being 2 DRS zones in every race, it means that teams will be able to use DRS in 2 zones during qualy and THAT is what I´m ticked off about. The idea of eliminating DRS on “safety purposes” was being taken to take away a certain team´s advantage during qualy(we all know that´s the truth in the end really)…. and it´s a crock of **** now that they say every race is going to have 2 zones… kind of destroys the whole purpose around eliminating DRS during qualy except for the designated zone… So much for playing on an even flatter field…. It seems that the lack of pace shown by some in testing has triggered this defense mechanism (even though we can´t surely put our finger on who´s quick or not, the teams certainly know!).
I hope I made myself clearer this time!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
6th March 2013, 15:21
@catracho504
No it wasn’t, that’s just what you wanted it to be.
JB (@)
6th March 2013, 17:24
How is that something that I wanted it to be @keithcollantine ???
It was thouroughly discussed in the forum that everybody felt it was an unfair decision by the fia to do that because of “safety measures”… I believe you even said it yourself that RBR would lose advantage of this because they could exploit their downforce in corners… I might be wrong but I believe you said this too.
If you want to acuse me of anything… acuse me of wanting an even flatter playing field… and if it meant limiting the amount of drs used in qualy, well so be it… but I honestly don´t feel it was done just on safety purposes… Just like michelin wasn´t allowed to introduce new tyres back in the tyre war days…
tmekt (@tmekt)
6th March 2013, 17:12
@catracho504
I knew this already thanks. They are restricting DRS in quali for this season. You however said this in your original post:
Incorrect. Teams could previously use DRS unrestrictedly in qualification.
Well the purpose was and is to make it safer so that drivers won’t have to look for the boundaries which could potentially lead to dangerous accidents. And that’s still happening.
What’s also still happening is that the supposed benefit Red Bull could gain and other teams couldn’t will go away. Their car produced more downforce and they could use DRS in some places that other teams with lower downforce couldn’t and because the use of DRS was unrestricted, they were able to benefit from this in qualifications. These places were in corners because on straights every car was able to open their DRS without losing control.
This advantage (see above) Red Bull had will now be eliminated by the fact that they can now only use DRS in the specified DRS zones in quali.
JB (@)
6th March 2013, 17:49
Okay, I see what you mean…. sorry about that. It´s just that sometimes I get all worked up about something and have a hard time transmitting my idea… Sorry for that. All I can say is that the english language is my second language so sorry.
I beg to differ… How will it be a disadvantage if they will still be able to use it on the straight right before the 130 R?? Same will apply to any corner in which follows a long straight… That in qualy…. what about in the actual race?? Anybody who isn´t quick enough… (RBR) will be able to further benefit from it…
Bookoi (@bookoi)
6th March 2013, 13:52
I wish they’d just drop the zones altogether.
Give every driver 100 seconds of DRS use to use as he sees fit during the race. The DRS would still add excitement to the ‘show’ and we’d have a fairer system that showcases drivers with strong tactical minds.
Go for broke in the opening laps or play the long game? Use DRS to defend or save it knowing you can strike back later? Attack the battling pair in front or keep pace while they both use up their allowance?
Sounds much more fun than motorway passes to me.
michael bradshaw (@melonbeep)
6th March 2013, 14:23
Well said! I was just thinking of something similar…
Christopher (@twiinzspeed)
6th March 2013, 14:24
I like that idea. It would be similar to Kers. If the driver is tactical, they gain an advantage. Great thought. :)
michael bradshaw (@melonbeep)
6th March 2013, 14:26
COTD
tmekt (@tmekt)
6th March 2013, 14:31
I’ve been thinking the same thing for a long time. Don’t some of the lower classes already use this system where you can use DRS only a few times during the race and that’s it?
Bookoi (@bookoi)
6th March 2013, 14:36
Yes, Formula Renault 3.5 used this system for their adjustable rear wing last season I believe.
A1GP also had an allowance-type system where you had just eight KERS-style boosts to use during a race. On-screen graphics covered how many uses each driver had left. It was always exciting seeing a driver with eight following a driver that had blasted through it all in the first few laps!
Craig Woollard (@craig-o)
6th March 2013, 15:41
@bookoi They have an on/off similar idea in IndyCar, and I don’t really think it has a great deal of an impact on the racing for the most part. The problem with that idea, is it will be used then as a tool to defend, which is not the idea of DRS, it’s a tool for attacking. Anyway, from 2014 teams will be able to use ERS (the evolution of KERS) for up to a third or half a lap in some cases.
Cryptowillem (@cryptowillem)
6th March 2013, 17:30
Last year, Indycar tried to minimize the use of their Push-2-Pass (P2P) system for defensive use by introducing a delay on it. Once you pressed the button, your P2P wouldn’t activate for a few seconds after that. The idea was that if you were the defending driver, and you saw someone coming up quickly behind you, even if you did use the P2P, it wouldn’t activate for a couple seconds, by which time, the attacking driver would be past you already.
A couple problems with that idea, though. Drivers had to anticipate when the engine would start producing more power in order to get on the button soon enough. And the racing was kinda boring. When they removed the delay, I’d say racing did get better.
Overall, I think the P2P in Indycar was successful when there were fewer restrictions. Also, it’s more like KERS than it is like DRS.
Jason (@jason12)
6th March 2013, 15:49
+1
-1
I like strikers not defenders :D
Brian (@bealzbob)
6th March 2013, 14:23
Artificial overtaking is here to stay. I suppose it’s a lot simpler than coming up with design rules that make overtaking inherently possible by limiting the amount of dirty air when following a car closely. Booooo-urns.
tmekt (@tmekt)
6th March 2013, 14:29
I quite like that some of the zones are quite short. Might actually produce more “natural” overtakes in some places if DRS only gets you a bit closer instead of the usual motorway overtaking.
Ben (@scuderia29)
6th March 2013, 15:00
horrible news
Klon (@)
6th March 2013, 15:12
Well, I think some of the criticism is too much. Given that a pit-straight DRS zone only allows for overtaking if it follows another DRS zone (think Circuit Gilles Villeneuve) since a sole pit-straight DRS boost can be countered by KERS, as we have seen in the last two years, we only have a few tracks which actually have two DRS zones: Sepang, Montreal, Silverstone and Abu Dhabi – three tracks that need it, one that doesn’t. Not that bad a ratio I guess.
WilliamB (@william-brierty)
6th March 2013, 15:12
Good idea, could be interesting. However I don’t see why there couldn’t be two in Monaco and Suzuka. OK, obviously the tunnel and the straight leading to 130R are unsuitable, but at Monaco what’s wrong with a short DRS zone between the swimming pool chicane and taback? There would be no overtaking there, but it would help cars to stay close to each other through the high speed second half of the lap and potentially put them in a position to overtake on the pit straight. And at Suzuka the concertina effect seen between “Kobayashi corner” and Spoon can be attributed to the shortage of overtakes there, so a DRS zone along the curved straight between those corners would equally aid the chances of overtaking along the pit straight. I think the FIA need to view DRS not simply as tool for blasting past the car ahead, but also a way of keeping the offensive car nailed to the gearbox of the car ahead, thus providing an overtaking opportunity at some of the more “follow-my-lead” tracks.
Jason (@jason12)
6th March 2013, 15:43
Don’t allow him to get as close as a sec behind you…
If you can’t stop that then let him pass, without messing up his strategy!
Mark Hitchcock (@mark-hitchcock)
6th March 2013, 16:22
That’s the worst thing about DRS, the defending driver can’t….defend.
Some of the most exciting racing happens when the driver in front is slower, but is driving fantastically to keep the faster car behind.
Racing isn’t all about overtaking. F1 (and a lot of F1 fans) seem to have forgotten that.
Dizzy
6th March 2013, 15:47
People talk about how great DRS is & how much its added to the excitement, Yet how has it?
All of the DRS passing have been totally boring & unexciting to watch, so in that regard DRS has added nothing to make f1 more exiting, Its actually done the opposite.
We have seen the past 2 years that all the real overtaking (The exciting stuff) had happened well outside the DRS zone & all the ‘top overtakes of 2011/2012’ were overtakes which had zero to do with DRS.
By making more DRS zones there simply going to generate more of the boring DRS drive-by’s & less of the real overtaking which is actually exciting to watch.
Lets for an example take the new Texas circuit there was some brilliant racing into & exiting turn 1, Add a DRS zone on the start/finish straght & all its going to do is ensure passing is completed before the braking zone so were going to lose the sort of good racing we saw into turn 1 last year.
This may honestly be the final straw for me, I hate DRS & have hated every single DRS-generated pass i’ve had to sit through t