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“No reason not to use DRS at Monaco” – Whiting

FIA F1 Race Director Charlie Whiting has said that there is “no reason not to use” the controversial Drag Reduction System at Monaco for next weekend’s grand prix.

The system, which aids overtaking at certain tracks, varies in popularity amongst the drivers, and at Barcelona over the weekend there was a consensus that its use might prove dangerous in the twisty streets of the Principality.

But Whiting will adopt a ‘wait and see’ approach before making a final decision, it is thought, in the next 24 hours.

“I’ve spoken to the drivers a few times about it and it was quite clear that the majority of them did not want to use it in Monaco,” he told the media in Catalunya. “However, there is no evidence to support the theory that it is unsafe in Monaco.

“Obviously, we are not waiting for an accident to happen, but there is simply no evidence to support the theory that it is going to be dangerous. So as it has been introduced as an overtaking aid, it would be somewhat perverse not to allow it in the place where you need overtaking the most.

“So there is no reason not to use it in Monaco as far as we can see. That is the long and the short of it. As far as we are concerned it’s a device that’s open to anyone to use legally at any race. That is what it is there for.”

The drivers’ objections are likely to centre around the narrowness of the track at Monaco, and the potentially disastrous consequences if a car became airborne.

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