FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[backseatdriver]

with DRS zones lengths perfected after last year to just get cars side by side. and the car overtaken always has the chance to do the same to the car that overtook it on the next lap. so the advantage does balance itself out, almost like alternate service games in tennis.

remember 2010 abu dhabi. alonso in a much faster car unable to overtake for 40 laps. DRS has saved this sport from the processional bore it was becoming.

pirelli have become very conservative and are back to bridgestone levels of degradation almost. KERS did not make much of a difference to overtaking in 2009.

so the great racing is primarily due to DRS. and due to this it might for the first time have a chance to be a success in the US

[Jabberwocky]

interesting, i think the tyres and kers is helpful as well

[Hammer278]

I think the DRS has grown on us...and yes it encourages wheel to wheel racing. Adds an extra element of excitement to races, and they've done a good job this year. Last year they've had it too easy with DRS lengths being simply too long on some tracks where cars could just fly past.

[Jabberwocky]

I think they should change it so that everyone in an even position of the race can use it constantly.

[myownalias]

I still don't like DRS, KERS or the fast degrading tyres, these are artificial means to solve an issue that never used to exist. The issue; which has been known for some time is that the sport is so dominated by aero that it's impossible to follow close behind through corners to use the slipstream effect to make passes. Back in the 90s, this was not a problem as Aero was a much smaller part of F1, the sport was plenty exciting at that time. Almost every time I see a DRS overtake I find myself cringing because it's like a motorway overtake, quite often the move is over and done with way before the corner. Is it possible to have wheel to wheel battles without DRS, look at the last couple of races; drivers going wheel to wheel in the first two laps before DRS is activated, reduce the Aero in F1, allow more freedom elsewhere and we'll see more overtaking without artificial aids such as DRS, KERS and fast degrading Pirelli tyres.

[Jabberwocky]

But Aero is the way that the sport has evolved.

[myownalias]

But Aero is the way that the sport has evolved.

The FIA have banned just about every innovation other than that; if it's for the health of the sport; e.g. better racing, I think there should be limits imposed!

Or the other option is the 'push to overtake' button that gives an extra 100hp; but it can only be used, say 20 times during the race and anywhere on track, not just the DRS zone, it can be used to defend or attack but the drivers can't simply keep on hammering it because of the limitation, which of course adds some strategic thinking for the drivers!

[stonemonkey]

One thing I've wondered about is whether or not the designers actively look for ways to disrupt the air behind their car as much as possible to make them difficult to overtake. If that was the case it would be impossible to regulate but the DRS could be seen as some sort of solution.

[darwin dali]

One thing I've wondered about is whether or not the designers actively look for ways to disrupt the air behind their car as much as possible to make them difficult to overtake. If that was the case it would be impossible to regulate but the DRS could be seen as some sort of solution.

Yes, that's my line of thinking/excuse for the DRS as well. Yes, it is artificial, but so is the dirty air behind the cars that makes it difficult to follow/slipstream a car. So, it balances out I guess and makes for a bit more action on track than without it.

[spankyham]

DRS? I despise it still.

1) it rewards the guy behind and punishes the guy ahead.
2) it creates artificial overtaking - I'm yet to hear anyone rave about a DRS pass.
3) The argument about dirty air is nonsense. Dirty air is a disadvantage - well so is being behind, get in front and you don't get dirty air. Perhaps we should give a few bonus points to the drivers who spend most time in dirty air. It's also a disadvantage to go off-track, how about we let anyone who goes off-track use extra KERS. What about tire degradation, that's a disadvantage, how about we let drivers with more tire deg use more DRS. Ludicrous argument.
4) Being behind already has a natural advantage - whilst at a certain distance there is dirty air, at another distance behind you get a draft/tow.

First option, get rid of the gimmick or if it must stay allow any driver to use it any time.

[racechick]

Got to agree with you Spanky. Its false and it devalues real overtaking.

[myownalias]

I can see why DRS came about, so many, myself including weren't happy with the lack of overtaking before the moveable rear wing integration; but I understood why; many people didn't understand and didn't care, the general F1 viewer just wants to see overtaking and doesn't care how it's done, but there are a few purists that want to see F1 being the ultimate challenge, so don't like DRS, KERS etc. Seeing Vettel come up from 24th on the grid to be on the podium shows how easy it has become to overtake in F1, same situation with Button in Canada two years ago, would he have finished on the podium if DRS didn't exist? I think the bottom line is that it is here to stay and I fear more gimmicks maybe coming because of it's perceived success.

[acosmichippo]

Here's my view, and I suspect it will be an unpopular one.

I partially aree with MOA, but I think they should freeze aero and engine developments. Instead, let everyone go wild with KERS (and maybe limit fuel use like has been suggested many times). Let them use KERS all the time if they can. Let it be a passive assist if they want. Let them store as much charge as they can hold. In other words, let the constructors figure out how it's best to implement KERS for the sake of performance and efficiency. This will allow manufacturers to develop relevant tech for the auto industry, as opposed to figuring out how to develop as much downforce as possible, which has no relevance to consumer automobiles, as opposed to developing fossil fuel tech, which is is becoming less and less relevant to consumer automobiles. Then R&D would not be a complete waste of time for manufacturers like Toyota, Porsche, Audi, etc, who have all gone to Le Mans racing instead. More solid constructors, less aero dominance = more exciting racing. And as a bonus, we ought to benefit with better consumer electric car tech, just like F1 spearheaded combustion engine development in its adolescence.

Anyway, I realize it won't ever happen with all of the oil money tied up in F1. Just my wishful thinking.

[stonemonkey]

First option, get rid of the gimmick or if it must stay allow any driver to use it any time.

I'd say keep it but limit it's use so it can only be activated once, maybe twice, per lap anywhere on the circuit during the race or at least on most of the straights and regardless of how far in front anyone is.

Maybe the race leader can only use it if there's someone within a second behind him. [runs for cover.]

[andrew]

DRS, KERS and fragile tyres have taken F1 a step away from solving the real culprit of restricting overtaking - the cars. These driver aides only paper over the cracks.

Overtaking has always been difficult. There have always been some races where that have been processional and there have always been some races which are action packed. Overtaking is meant to be difficult, not a mere formality after cruising up behind the car in front. It's just become far too much like a computer game for my liking. Far too many magic buttons! It's been years since I've heard a driver described as last of the late brakers or seen a driver stalk another driver into making a mistake or missing a gear.

Bring the sport back to the 90's - it was plenty exciting then!