From Adam Cooper's Blog: First things first, I'd like to say that the FIA made a big mistake with DRS this weekend, as many of us predicted it made overtaking very easy and deprived us of a lot of great battles. This is good news for Monza though in my opinion. Firstly because the zones are completely independent, none of this malarkey we had in Canada where the leading driver got an extra boost of low drag to pull away, there'll be two detection zones. Secondly, the slim wings should reduce the affect of DRS meaning passing shouldn't be too easy, but provides opportunities for the following driver to mount a challenge, which is what DRS was designed for after all. Also, with it being a relatively short lap there probably won't be chance for the overtaking driver to pull out of DRS range before the next detection zone, meaning they'll immediately be back under pressure and having to work hard to consolidate their position, which is how I think it should be. Looking forward to this, DRS has spoiled as much as it's enhanced the racing this year, but I think this will be one of the occasions where it does itself justice.
it's also a low downforce track, so the DRS won;t be as effective, and I thought the DRS was just right today
It was far too easy today - drivers had no chance to defend: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0140wp7/Formula_1_2011_The_Belgian_Grand_Prix/?t=70m20s
Yup, the DRS zone was off the chain today. It was amazing how far back drivers could be on the way in to Eau Rouge and be easy in to Les Combes. Still not a fan of DRS.
I think if you're going to have consecutive DRS zones, you need separate activation zones. We saw what happened in Valencia; those who overtook in the first zone roared away in the second zone. The overtaken driver should still get the chance to try and repass him and that would create many good battles. I think they chose the right zones for Monza but I think between Ascari and Parabolica would also have been acceptable. Zones for tracks to come could include: Singapore(1):After Turn 5 Suzuka(2)it Straight, After Spoon Curve Korea(3)it Straight, After Turn 2, After Turn 3 India(1):Back Straight. Abu Dhabi(2):After Turn 7, After Turn 9 Brazil(2):After Turn 3, After Turn 12/13
Good article AG. All of your points are correct in my opinion and it should make for a fascinating spectacle. The problem with DRS as I see it is that it has been too heavily restricted from the outset. As has been seen; with just one available DRS zone, its value can be found to vary considerably, especially on a long circuit such as Spa; which I also believe could have had more than one 'overtaking zone'! The more it is utilised, the more it will add to the excitement by allowing a victim to fight back. Personally - and I accept the practical difficulties here - I think it is a great shame the drivers can't be given a lot more opportunity by having lots of detection points: for instance, one in each sector. As things are at the moment, DRS still qualifies as something of a gimmick in my book. Power to the drivers - not artificial, FIA dictated gadgetry!
When you say "put it", Chelsea; I presume that you mean the deployment zone across the Start/Finish line, and also presume you mean having the detection on entry to Bus Stop? Personally, I don't see a problem with that, since it would all be finished by the time they reach La Source (Turn 1 hairpin), which would not interfere with the detector we saw in use just before Eau Rouge. But I know I'm at odds with what I see as the FIA's over-cautious approach to the use of DRS.
Not quite mate, I meant having the detection at around Stavelot and activation maybe before Blanchimont and then have overtaking at the Bus Stop. But just my opinion, because as you say the FIA can be over-cautious with it's DRS approach.
I don't think there was any need for it at all in Spa, plenty of overtaking into Bus Stop, La Source and Les Combes as it is. Problem with some of the zones you've mooted 2manylotuses is that the straights are too close for separate detection zones. I think the pits straight and after turn three in Korea would be good. I'd have it after Spoon in Suzuka and after turn three in Brazil. Probably both in Abu Dhabi as there's such little overtaking, I don't like them being so close though.
Oh, I'm not suggesting that all of them should be used, I'm just listing the possible ones that could be used for each race. As for some of the zones being too close for separate detection, what if the detection zone was put at the end of the first activation zone? For example, if at the end of the zone after Turn 2 in Korea, the detection zone was just before Turn 3?
I might be wrong, but I don't think the technology allows for it to be calculated that quick unfortunately. Would be good if they can manage it, and I think they're developing the system all the time.
Maybe something for next year. They've done well with DRS in its first year so it wouldn't surprise if they can do it .
there's plenty of time, there isn't a man with a stop-watch working it out and pressing a button. it's computer controlled and they can make millions of calculations per second. I like the idea of a few smaller drs zones, hopefully someone overtaken by a drs car can put themselves in a position to retake the position at the next. It is afterall, a 'turbo boost', still prefer my idea of a drs that can be used anywhere but has a time limit on it's use in race, say 2 or 3 minutes. then it can be used for defence and attack and more strategically, do you use it at the start and pull away, use it at the end or spread it's use across the race, like the turbo boosters were
That's actually not a bad idea Miggins. Never imagined I'd say that. But thats very good from a strategic point of view The drivers looking to overtake someone would have to keep an eye out for when and where the defender would use it, whether he'd used all his DRS, and guess when the appropriate time to use it would be. It'd certainly keep the smarter drivers on their toes.
I think the FIA were right to introduce DRS, this has given the Formula 1 community to experience something new in terms of gadgets and overtaking tools. But I do believe it is being over-used in place of driver skill, I would ban it for 2012 in my opinion. That Eric Clapton guy was right.
Right Chelsea. Actually this was my hope and suggestion too! In addition to the Kemmel straight (which should have had a shorter deployment zone) and with the one I thought you meant (across the Startline), we could have three! Power to the driver!
That ovetake was done with momentum out of Eau Rouge, well before the DRS zone! Alonso was awesome through there all race! DC picked up on the momentum JB got on Nico to where he pulled out of the tow just before the DRS zone because he was already fast enough tp pass him!
I like this idea too! It would help drivers negate any race pace diferentials that may vary from car to car or driver to driver throughout different periods of teh race! Also it would be a game of cat and mouse in relation to who and how much is used at different parts of the race!
