GP2 cars to have DRS from 2015

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GP2 will emulate Formula One by adding a Drag Reduction System to its cars from next season.

F1 has used DRS since 2011. The adjustable wing system has already found its way into other championships such as Formula Renault 3.5 and the DTM.

However while Formula Renault 3.5 uses DRS as a ‘push-to-pass’ system, GP2 will use the same proximity-based system found on F1 cars, where drivers can only use it when they are within one second of a rival.

GP2 CEO Bruno Michel said the device was being introduced to ensure GP2 remains relevant as a route to Formula One. “It is imperative that the device we introduce is exactly the same DRS as the one used in Formula One,” he said.

“We decided to add it to our cars in order to prepare the drivers for the next step. As such, it will not be a push-to-pass button or a way to be quicker on a lap. Our DRS will be the exact copy of the one used in F1, with the same DRS zones since we’re racing on the same tracks.

“The drivers will be able to activate it within one second of the car in front at the DRS detection point, with the same level of safety, and with the same suppliers. It will have a hydraulic activation to ensure there’s a very fast movement of the flap with a capacity to open at high speed.”

DRS will be added to the current generation of GP2 cars, which was introduced in 2011, and will remain in use until 2016.

Michael added some teams had told them drivers wished to see DRS added to the cars. “We evaluated the feasibility of it, and we could have introduced it last year, but we decided not to for economic reasons.”

“We took the time to investigate ways to introduce it for a minimal cost, as our goal remains to keep on supporting our teams. The cost-cutting plan put in place this year will continue for next season in order to make sure that the introduction of DRS will not affect the teams.”

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    Keith Collantine
    Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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    57 comments on “GP2 cars to have DRS from 2015”

    1. Formula Indonesia (@)
      17th September 2014, 13:16

      Hmmmm….. Poor decision

      1. I think it is so in F1 but as long as F1 uses it, it’s only logic feeder series would use it, in the end probably only GP3 is having overtaking issues with the new cars.

    2. Surprised it’s taken them this long tbh

    3. Ridiculous. Does this series have a lack of overtaking? Not last time I checked. Awful decision.

    4. yay, more crashes!

    5. One more series they’re trying to ruin. Just waiting for the GP3 announcement…

      1. To be fair, if there is any series that needs DRS (not to say that any series needs it) then it would be GP3.

        GP2 on the other hand most definitely does not need DRS. Appalling decision.

        I honestly still believed that DRS was just a temporary solution to a lack of passing in F1, which would ultimately be solved through intelligent decision making by the FIA… how stupid was I? The fact that GP2 is doing this to remain relevant indicates that DRS is here to stay.

        1. I might actually care if GP2 was on TV in Australia. but it isn’t, so I don’t.

        2. To be fair, if there is any series that needs DRS (not to say that any series needs it) then it would be GP3.

          Never watched GP3, why is there less overtaking in GP3 than in GP2?

    6. Has GP2 not demonstrated thoroughly enough that passing is possible in the series (with Palmer finishing 8th in the Italian GP2 feature race having been put to the back after failing to supply an adequate fuel sample)? Do drivers of the caliber of Stoffel Vandoorne and Raffaele Marciello require training in pressing a button before proceeding to breeze past opposing cars when they make the step up to F1? A highly inevitable decision you might argue, especially with DRS adoption in both FR3.5 and DTM since 2011, but no less of an abhorrent one. And as we prepare to wave goodbye to exciting racing in GP2, is it not ironic that GP3, a series that saw no changes for the lead in 2013 after the first lap due to an infamously difficult car to slipstream, will not receive DRS! I could fall out of love with motorsport one of these days…

      1. Will Buxton on Twitter several minutes ago…

        As with most things at the moment, seems DRS in GP2 is the answer to a question nobody was asking. It’s GP3 that needs help…

        ^^ THIS ^^

        1. @william-brierty Agreed.. GP2 already has tyre deg, and GP3 needs DRS, while I’d argue for more effectiveness from it in FR3.5. Combining the two series then gives you an ideal preparation for using both in F1…

    7. This is far more about the GP2 series’ fears that drivers will abandon it, now that it has been proven that it has no preferential backdoor into F1. By introducing the same tyres and technology as F1, they can claim to be a proving ground. Losing its main selling point means drivers will race in cheaper lower formulas and save the money for an F1 bid. However the truth is that when it comes to driver selection in F1 the top teams care about talent, and everyone else cares about money.

      Pay drivers, for all fans complain about them, keep motorsport alive. Every series below the very top tier in rally, single seaters, touring cars and endurance is entirely reliant on them, because the spectators aren’t thronging the stands. That’s why Max Chilton is far more important to marussia than most of the “better” drivers in the junior formulas.

      1. @hairs – Why does adoption of DRS change the simple, plain and blatant fact on the tips of the tongues of hundreds of single seater hopefuls; “there is no guaranteed path to F1”? Why does DRS make GP2 more attractive? Surely the only thing that would make GP2 more attractive are F1 success stories (the kind that might result from McLaren implanting Vandoorne in the series, as with Ferrari and Marciello) and affordable entry fees? I understand the effect of pay drivers, not that they are especially relevant here, but I don’t quite get your argument here.

        1. THat is all true @william-brierty, but no argument for the owners of the GP2 series. They just want to be able to earn gigantic money from drivers paying up to be in the series where they have as much things alike F1.

          1. @bascb – GP2 is becoming the “F1 Wannabes Club” where middle-aged but well backed no-hopers go around on F1 circuits with F1 tyres and F1 gimmicks thinking they are F1 drivers. Meanwhile Merhi, in the likely case he beats Sainz to the title, is set to become the second consecutive FR3.5 champion to be promoted to F1, and Lynn is looking more F1 ready with each weekend…ah, that’s why we haven’t had a Red Bull Junior in GP2 since Buemi in 2008 prior to Gasly’s Monza debut…

            1. I wholly agree with you there @william-brierty. GP2 is too expensive and as a result it offers too low a quality of the field to be the real stepping stone (no one is expecting Palmer to step up are they?).
              But I guess as long as Bernie and Flav (or whoever currently owns GP2) rake in the money, they will be ok. And if not (which this seems to be an indication of) can we expect them to come up with better solutions than what they come up with for F1?

          2. @bascb – GP2 and GP3 are under the FOM wing, so yes, they are an elaborate way of producing revenue when Bernie isn’t busy unfairly distributing the well north of billion dollars profit F1 alone makes per every year so that at least three teams are on the brink of liquidation…

            Regarding Palmer, I hear daddy dearest is desperately trying to put together a sponsor package for him, and if Jonathan succeeds Jolyon could end up in a back-marker seat. However, whilst he has driven brilliantly this year, I’m not sure how warmly I could welcome a driver ranked 28th in his first season of GP2 (despite doing the full campaign)…

            1. I agree, to think that a British driver with a famous father who had a track record of mediocre performances in the top 2nd-tier category could ever be a successful F1 driver is just ludicrous.

            2. I’m not sure how warmly I could welcome a driver ranked 28th in his first season of GP2 (despite doing the full campaign)…

              Remember that Arden were not exactly one of the better teams in GP2 in 2011 as there engineering team struggled to figure out the Pirelli tyres.

              I don’t think Jolyon is actually that bad a driver, He’s certainly a great racer who has consistently throughout his career showed an ability to overtake. Some of the overtaking moves he’s pulled off in GP2 the past few years have been stunning.

        2. @william-brierty Well, that’s exactly my point.

          This is a desperation move by GP2 because it realises that its unique selling point no longer exists. Therefore the gimmick in this case isn’t “improving the show”, it’s “hey we’re still relevant, drive in our series”.

          It’s equally effective.

          1. @hairs – I can’t help but think lowering fees would be more effective…

            1. Perhaps getting GP2 onto more FTA TV broadcasts might give talented drivers a better chance of finding sponsors to help them pursue their career via GP2. @william-briety,

    8. Horrible decision.

      I thin it was last year’s Hungarian GP2 Feature Race which really showed why we don’t need DRS in GP2. I think Ericsson was running option-prime and Palmer prime-option. (or might have been even prime-prime which was allowed last year, simultaneously destroying sprint race) After Palmer had pitted, he came up behind Ericsson and caught him quickly.

      With DRS (likely scenario): Palmer breezes by first time he is close enough
      Without DRS (as it happened): Close battle which lasted several laps. In the end Palmer was able to make the pass and he won the race.

      I don’t think there are many people who would select the first option. Bruno Michel admits that there is no problem in quality of racing this year and I agree with him. Therefore there should be no need for DRS.

      1. @bleu – If you want an example as to why DRS isn’t needed in GP2 look no further than Palmer at Monza last time out…

        1. I mentioned that example because that’s the thing DRS mostly kills – battles which last several laps.

    9. if it was in gp3 i would totally understand, because that dallara chassis doesn’t slipstream very well and overtaking is difficult. gp2 cars are very good for overtaking, therefore DRS is not necessary.

    10. Was just about to add a comment to the old thread about DRS after 50 races (that Keith just tweeted) – funnily enough a few people post on there that they would be switching to swatch GP2 for the very reason that it didn’t have DRS.

      In my mind the solution is quite simple – get rid of blue flags. If the top teams that will be trying to lead from the front know that they will have pass a lot more cars to make their strategy work (inc. some cars that will still be quick, just out of position in the running order for whatever reason) then the brief to the aero-dynamisists (is that a word??) will have to change, i.e. make cars that are able to survive in the wake of the car in front. If anything, the current option of DRS makes this even less important.

      1. @alexdavidson007 They don’t use blue flags as much as what they should do in IndyCar and can cause a lot of problems. Say you have one driver with an issue (broken front wing, penalty etc) and they come out just ahead of the leaders, you can use this driver as a tool to hold up the leaders and bring in the other car to jump ahead of the leader who is being held up. That is what happened at Detroit (I believe) and it caused a bit of a stir between the American-style racers and the European-style racers.

        1. There’d obviously need to be an analysis of the various potential scenarios and allowance made to stop blatant foul play, or any safety issues, but it’s more the principle that i’m advocating – make overtaking critical to any/every strategy and the great minds of F1 will surely find a way to make it easier. Let the rule makers concentrate on improving safety and preventing cheating and ‘the show’ will take care of itself. Hopefully!

    11. GP3 cars need DRS, not GP2 cars. The racing is phenomenal in GP2 at the moment, so why spoil it?

      1. I’m not sure DRS would even work in GP3 as they don’t produce a great deal of drag from the rear wing given how shallow a wing angle the cars run.

        1. @stefmeister the rear wing isn’t the only wing that produces downforce… I’m yet to see one but there’s no reason why we can’t have a single seater that has a DRS that reduces the downforce on a front wing.

          1. @craig-o F1 had the adjustable front wing flaps in 2009/2010.

            The original idea was to increase front wing angle when following another car to be able to run a bit closer, But it ended up just been used for balance adjustments over a stint.

            Rather than anything like DRS, I think all GP3 really needs is a bit more power And/Or a bit less downforce.
            As it stands the GP3 cars are producing far too much grip (Much of it from the underbody I believe) for the power they have which allows everyone to be so close in terms of performance than overtaking becomes an issue.

    12. I think this video sums up my thoughts right now:
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umDr0mPuyQc

    13. I can understand that they want to make GP2 as similar to F1 as possible but surely they’ve seen the overwhelming negative reviews of DRS in F1 and already know that this is going to be unpopuoar with the fans.

    14. GP2 will emulate Formula One by adding a Drag Reduction System to its cars from next season.

      ’emulate’ is a strong word…

    15. I still think IndyCar has the best solution. 10 presses of the overtake button per race. Use it whenever and wherever you want but when you’re out, you’re out.

      1. I think the other great thing about Indycar’s P2P system is that it gives just enough of a boost to get the driver into a position to have a go at an overtake but does not give so much that it allows the pass to be completed.

        P2P works purely as a small assist to help get drivers in a position to have a go, It never works as an overtaking device & thats where I’ve always felt DRS fails more often than not.

        Additionally as its available to everyone, everywhere you can use it defend which is a big asset to the racing as it allows good racing battles rather than DRS which often leaves the lead car totally defenseless.
        Watching cars in F1 pull offline to defend the inside line only for a car behind with DRS to drive straght past anyway often just makes it seem as if the car ahead had just pulled over to let the car behind past.

    16. I’m sick of all this stuff. I’m getting tired of just raising my shoulders and say: “well, what can I do?”

      I’m sick of it. Can’t they just leave this sport alone?? it was supposed to be a temporary fix that’s stayed forever, and now other series that didn’t have any overtaking problem are using it.

      They are killing racing… and my patience is running out…

    17. In which case I won’t be watching GP2 next year.

      As much as I dislike DRS in F1 I get why its there so I tolerate it hoping that one day rules are altered so that its no longer needed.

      However the racing in GP2 is fine without DRS, Its just not needed here & if the series owners feel like the racing isn’t what they want it to be then as a spec series they have the power to alter the car design to encourage & promote better racing without the need for gimmicks like DRS.

    18. Whilst GP2 clearly doesn’t need DRS and it will probably make it more dangerous and less exciting, it shouldn’t do all that much damage. With DRS in F1 (whether or not it should be) it’s a good idea for the drivers to be learning how to use it – JM2C

    19. Nooo! GP2 is so exciting as it is, why ruin the racing?

      Another step in the wrong direction by FIA.

      1. Another step in the wrong direction by FIA.

        This wasn’t down to the FIA, Was down to the GP2 series owners.

        Apart from having to meet all FIA safety requirements the FIA actually have no control over GP2 as its not an FIA regulated category. This is why there’s no FIA logo on anything GP2 & why the championship awards are not handed out at the FIA gala.

        1. Wow, that idea was so stupid that I just assumed it must be the same guys behind it.

    20. Why? The racing in GP2 has been really enjoyable. I actually like seeing the next generation of world class drivers fight wheel to wheel. I guess they need to practice how to push a button to overtake like in the pinnacle of motor racing.

    21. It was always coming. I suppose the only solution is for F1 to find away to not use DRS. I personally would like to see a poll on the matter to see were the fans stand. If the majority are in favour of DRS then we could be at the point of no return. If the majority oppose it then the FIA need to find away to abolish it and GP2 should not be adopting it. Sadly it looks like it’s here to stay.

      1. The last poll I recall on DRS on this site seemed to suggest more think its having a negative effect on things:
        https://www.racefans.net/2013/05/03/drs-tyres-f1-balance-2013/

        Maybe a poll specific to GP2, Or a new one about DRS in general could be done in a future article to get a more current feel about fan views on it.

        1. Going back further, Going into 2012 Most seemed to feel the way DRS was used should be changed:
          https://www.racefans.net/2012/01/13/drs-work-2012/

    22. Now they should commoditize the pre-KERS v8 F1 motor and supply that to the GP2 teams.

    23. I can’t believe this. It’s very awful.

    24. I think the saddest thing to take away from this is that DRS isn’t going anywhere soon.

      I genuinely think this is now just a part of modern racing, sadly. It starts at the top, then drips its way down.

      Refueling was essentially a gimmick, and that completely caught on.

      Anyway, i’ll be disappointed to lose the real wheel to wheel races in GP2, but I think anyone complaining about this is sadly missing the point. GP2 is the official (and that part’s important) feeder series to F1, and it needs to imitate it as hard as possible.

      I totally understand it, but I don’t agree with it.

    25. I have never seen DRS as a problem. If a slower car can (unfairly in some people’s opinions) get past a faster car/driver using DRS then the faster combination will easily re pass that slower combination on the next DRS zone. If you watched 125cc GP motorcycles racing in their heydays you’ll know that despite slipstreaming the better combinations always rose to the top.

      1. The problem is that DRS has consistently produced utterly boring highway passes.

        Overtaking should be a skill, Not something anyone can easily do at the push of a button with no drama or excitement at all.

        You go back a few years & look at how drivers like Hamilton, Montoya, Kobayashi & Raikkonen stood out above all the rest because they proved overtaking was possible & all pulled off some awesome & truly exciting/memorable overtaking moves which people remember 10+ years later.

        What excitement does DRS produce? The driver behind pushed the button & crusis easily past with no excitement or drama at all, Its all far too easy.

        Every time I see an easy DRS overtake it kills my enjoyment of the race because that sort of utterly boring highway pass is not in any way interesting or exciting & has zero to do with good racing.

        Overtaking should be hard fought for, totally down to driver skill & exciting-
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPBWr9eA9kY
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJvlNqKi1Uk
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Pneigp-9IE
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSrrodmZxcw
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF5Pk8ZpaQE

        It should not be easy, dull & unexciting like what DRS bores us with.
        The art of racing, overtaking & defending is been lost because of an utterly absurd artificial gimmick.

        Also interesting how f1’s popularity has been in steep decline since drs came in (including in places where ney have not gone to pay tv) so quite clearly its turning people off the sport & not bringing them to it with all this alleged excitement its bringing.

        1. As to DRS in GP2, Why?

          The racing in GP2 is more often than not brilliant with plenty of real overtaking. If there is any series in the world that doe snot in any way need DRS its GP2.

          In what universe does racing like mean DRS is needed?
          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U_J_MEUzlQ
          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMCmrsahWFs
          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQv5sVYdTaA

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