Webber: DRS should only be an overtaking aid

41 comments on “Webber: DRS should only be an overtaking aid”

1. 

   BasCB (@bascb)
   24th March 2011, 9:51

   I must say, their reasoning for not using it outside the race does make sense.

   Lets see how it pans out though.
   1. 

      Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
      24th March 2011, 9:57

      Much as I like to hear drivers speak their minds – and Webber’s one of the best for it – I’m disappointed to hear him say this.

      As I’ve said before, I think the great thing about DRS in qualifying is it will give us a new way of seeing the drivers at work and the difference between the cars and drivers, which is something F1 lacks.

      It’s also pretty discouraging to hear how uncritical they are of the gimmicky side of DRS – drivers only being allowed to use it when they’re within a second of a rival. I get that that’s what should make it work, I’m just not convinced a pass made with DRS is going to be as impressive as a proper pass.
      1. 

         Alex Bkk (@alex-bkk)
         24th March 2011, 10:07

         Yes, but then there are the Pirreli’s that I’ve read spew untold volumes of marbles around the track. so you can’t really go too far off line to over take.

         It’s going to be pretty much a passing on the long straights with the FFW (DRS)and not in the corners.

         That’s how I’m reading it at the moment anyway.
      2. 

         BasCB (@bascb)
         24th March 2011, 10:07

         I guess as its the FOTA that came up with the Idea in the first place, the drivers emloyers want them to support the idea.

         What I meant about the drivers view it making sense is, if you accept the gimmick is for overtaking purposes, why use it in qualli? Sounds logical. For the drivers it would be easiest to have all the systems just on and automatic or not used at all.

         Off course we, as fans are not all that worried about drivers having to balance a lot of choices to go around the track fast (re some fans wanting back stick shift) and not using something that is on you car to go fast just sounds daft.

         It’s like knowing they can use KERS out of the corners and off the start but not using it there. Or using the DRS only on the straight and only to overtake.
      3. 

         Steeve
         24th March 2011, 12:34

         Yes! And nothing can done to prevent or defend your place with & extra of 15 km/h boost in a straight line. So DRS in straight will not be and added value for f1. Remember how great was Lewis and Jenson last year in Turkey.

         “If I back off, does Jenson will pass me or not ,…… no ..lewis ..no…….
      4. 

         Sasquatsch (@sasquatsch)
         24th March 2011, 13:58

         I am not for artificial measures to improve overtaking. So everybody should use it (like it is with KERS) or none. Not the one behind only, because it gives the one behind an unfair advantage.

         If there is a flaw in the design of Formula 1 cars (as you point out in your other article, which I agree with), that should be addressed instead of working around it.

         The rules should aim for more mechanical and less aerodynamical grip. I hope the return of ground-effect in 2013 will help make this gimmick (which it is) unnecessary, because that will make cars less vulnerable to the turbulence created by the car in front
      5. 

         Mouse_Nightshirt (@mouse_nightshirt)
         24th March 2011, 13:59

         I see where you’re coming from Keith, but I disagree that it will show any significant difference between cars and drivers to any great extent, other than to further slow down the back markers who don’t have working systems yet.

         If everyone has them, then everyone will use them, all at the same time and the difference will then be negligible. The only real difference you may get is from system efficiency, which once again puts emphasis back towards aerodynamics.

         As the saying goes: “If everyone is special, then no-one is”.
      6. 

         infy (@infy)
         24th March 2011, 14:28

         Its not dangerous in terms of safety. Its dangerous because drivers might make more mistakes, and so in terms of points, it is dangerous.
      7. 

         US_Peter (@us_peter)
         24th March 2011, 18:57

         I agree 100% Keith, I thought it was telling that Schumacher said the exact opposite, saying basically (and I’m paraphrasing here) that any gadget that can help him go faster, he’s interested in. He also pointed out that the DRS is much safer than the F-duct was last year, when many of the same drivers that are now complaining, were flat out driving with one hand throu Eau Rouge.
2. 

   Alex Bkk (@alex-bkk)
   24th March 2011, 9:55

   Well you have 2 of the most experienced races in F1 saying it’s not a good idea in Q.

   The umm… younger drivers haven’t really chimed in yet.
3. 

   Alex Bkk (@alex-bkk)
   24th March 2011, 9:59

   Schumacher, Truli, Button and Heifeld haven’t said a word yet either. It must work for them.
4. 

   Icthyes
   24th March 2011, 10:07

   Well, I disagree. I find nothing exciting about a driver using the DRS earlier out of a corner because his car has better mechanical traction and/or aero-induced traction. I don’t see what room there is for the drivers beyond being able to handle a slippery car on the exit better and I think that will be negated by the car advantages anyway.

   Over the moon to hear Webber confirm my theory about the tyres. Proper racing, not nursing, is what we want. It’s a bit of a shame there’s no room at all for drivers with different skills to apply them, but it’s better than what we used to have. Hopefully drivers will still be able to save themselves from making an extra stop by starting on the hards, meaning they can eke out the softs at the end of the race by virtue of lower fuel and a more rubbered track. That’s the kind of strategy I’d like to see.
   1. 

      Spaulding (@spaulding)
      24th March 2011, 12:47

      So basically, you want to see everyone on the same exact strategy through the whole race? I would disagree on that point. I would MUCH rather see different teams using different strategies, probably by allowing all 4 tire specs at each race and tailoring those tires to be very fast with very high wear for supersofts and fairly slow with very low wear for hards. This type of tire setup is done all the time in amateur racing series like SCCA and NASA in the states, although the super hard tires are usually bought by people with less available money to burn as they are cheaper. By opening up the tire regulations to allow teams to have a real choice, I think we can get some excitement back into the pit stops. If we want everyone on the same strategy, we might as well just ban pit stops for both fuel and tires and just give out 4 super hard tire to everyone that will last the whole race.
      1. 

         DeadManWoking
         24th March 2011, 12:51

         NASA?? Yesss Space Shuttle Racing now that they’re being retired from regular use!
      2. 

         Icthyes
         24th March 2011, 13:10

         So basically, you want to see everyone on the same exact strategy through the whole race? blockquote>

         That is so the opposite of what I said that I just died a little.
      3. 

         Gilles
         24th March 2011, 15:41

         Actually, you have a point there, although you probably wouldn’t like it: instead of having tires that go off quickly requiring many pitstops; we could indeed go the opposite way and provide rockhard tires that will certainly last the race. That way, there will be less marbles on the track, so less interference for overtaking and secondly there’s no need to pit or waste your time in thinking of strategy: just go out and race. If you want to win, then you will have to pass all the others in front of you. We’re back to the fine art of racing, no longer distracted by pitstop induced position changes. Every spectator can see where everybody is on the track.
         KERS won’t help overtaking, as everybody will have it and hence it will cancel its own effect on racing. Again, the driver will need to overtake by his own craft.
         DRS is indeed an issue. In the beginning I found it artificial as well; but I have come to see it as an ‘equilizer’ cancelling out the turbulence caused by the car in front which gives him already a somewhat artificial advantage. In that sense, I hope this is merely a temporary measure on the path to the ideal solution: clipping the wings, make downforce coming from the bodywork largely dominant over wing-induced aero. That way we can slipstream again and this will lead to closer racing. But I gather this is already on the drawing board for 2013.
         I’m not a fan of how they introduce DRS; if it’s there, it should be under the driver’s control for him to use whenever he deems fit. If you’re afraid to use it, then don’t push the button and everybody will see who the best driver is. In that sense, Mark Webber has sank in my esteem with his comments.
         Finally, if only they would alter the tracks so that multiple racing lines are possible and mistakes punished; we would have an awesome F1 circus on our hands.
         So, I hope the DRS will soon disappear and the marbles will create huge problems this season. That would validate my line of thought above.
         Oh well, enough rambling from me now.
5. 

   smifaye (@)
   24th March 2011, 10:10

   I understand where Webber is coming from, and also Barrichello. Why should it be used in qualifying, because if everyone uses it at every chance they get, then there is no benefit.

   However I don’t think this is the case, there will be more daring drivers that try and use the DRS straight out of the corner, and others that don’t feel they have the grip that don’t use it.

   So I think it should be used in qualifying, we will hopefully see some stunning laps, and also some mistakes. Obviously, no one wants to see mistakes that are going to put the drivers at a risk. But then the wing is supposed to go back to neutral naturally.

   What happens if the driver has an incident like Massa in 2009, and he has the DRS activated? I know this probably isn’t going to make that much a difference to the impact, but it might?
   1. 

      Alex Bkk (@alex-bkk)
      24th March 2011, 10:21

      I think that what you are saying is in that using the Flippy Floopy Wing, a few hundredths or thousandths of a second going in to a corner coming out of a corner can be gained for Q?
      1. 

         BasCB (@bascb)
         24th March 2011, 10:47

         They should be able to gain several tenths over a laptime. Especially the guys getting it on first (Red Bull with their superior downforce and gutsy drivers).
   2. 

      Icthyes
      24th March 2011, 12:07

      I doubt daring will have more say than the cars themselves. Control might (good news for the likes of Hamilton and Schumacher), but I think the biggest differences will be between team-mates, not drivers in different teams.
6. 

   Icthyes
   24th March 2011, 10:10

   Oh and it’s a shame there looks like being no room for an extra-stop strategy being viable, since they’ll be going for it at pretty much 95% anyway and so no-one could ever make up enough time to cancel out the extra stop. Still, these things can be tweaked, the most important thing is there will be some strategy and we won’t see this tip-toeing anymore.
   1. 

      Alex Bkk (@alex-bkk)
      24th March 2011, 10:32

      Excellent point about the tip-toeing around the track.
7. 

   Mark
   24th March 2011, 10:12

   More than likely because it could compromise redbulls qualifying performance. Should be good watching where drivers can use the drs in quali.

   Looking forward to this weekend!
   1. 

      Dan Newton
      24th March 2011, 13:11

      Thats exactly what I thought. Closes up the field so Red Bull don’t have such an easy time in quali as they did last year.
8. 

   BasCB (@bascb)
   24th March 2011, 10:13

   Interesting development here by tweet from @EiGP (Pablo Elizalde)
   The FIA has extended the moveable wing overtaking zone in Australia…

   That might mean it is a lot dependant on who gets on that DRS out of the corner first! Gutsy.
   1. 

      Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
      24th March 2011, 11:10

      Having it available for the length of the straight makes more sense.

      Also, only an attacking driver may use the DRS. The defending driver is not entitled to it.
9. 

   Mike-e
   24th March 2011, 10:24

   I think webber doesn’t want the drs on in qualli because it will remove some of the red bull’s qualli advantage. I see no other reason to say something like this which makes it sound either like the solution red bull have come up with is difficult to manage, or that the drivers don’t have the necessary skills and/or the trousers spuds to make the most of it. Very strange from a PR point of view…..
   1. 

      Icthyes
      24th March 2011, 12:12

      If anything, the current rules play to Red Bull’s strengths. The Renault engine gives them great traction and they have great aero efficiency, which would enable them to deploy the DRS at the exit of a corner earlier.
   2. 

      Cacarella
      24th March 2011, 13:40

      It may increase Vettel’s quali advantage over Webber though, which may be why he’s crying.
      Still, the fact that both Redbull drivers have complained about it in the last week (one threatening a strike) suggests that they don’t like the added uncertainty it brings to Qualifying. They’d rather have the fastest car and get pole every time than have to worry about another driver and team that utilizes the FFW better than they do.
10. 

    vjanik
    24th March 2011, 10:28

    it looks like Webber has problems managing all the buttons in the cockpit. admiting it publically is not a good move for him. i really did not excpect this from him. he sounds a bit frustrated and i get a feeling his one lap qualifying pace will go down this year compared to vettel.

    i think schumacher will love it this year. his rhetoric is the complete opposite of webber. he says he is looking forward to the challange of having extra tasks to differentiate between drivers.

    nowadays F1 cars are underpowered with eneormous amounts of dwonforce. so as Martin Brundle says they dont have to man-handle them anymore like they had to in the old days. so the new tyres, DRS and KERS should make driving an F1 car an even greater challange.

    thats why I agree with Keith that it will separate the men from the boys.
11. 

    Paul F
    24th March 2011, 11:10

    Is Mark adopting a Steve McClaren accent during moments of this interview…?!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWptErAWrmQ&feature=related
    1. 

       Adam
       24th March 2011, 12:40

       yea, I thought it was odd…he’s using slightly simple language and a somewhat odd (even for an Aussie) intonation, kinda like he’s being interviewed by someone who doesn’t speak English very well.
12. 

    AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
    24th March 2011, 13:16

    This bit is interesting…

    “And they don’t seem to respond too much to driving slowly and looking after them, so it looks like we’ll just have to go flat out.”

    I hope thats the case, nervous drivers would get boring very quickly.
13. 

    Fixy (@)
    24th March 2011, 13:37

    Mark Webber says the Drag Reduction System should only be used for overtaking and not in qualifying.

    I must say, I agree 100% with him.
    1. 

       Mouse_Nightshirt (@mouse_nightshirt)
       24th March 2011, 14:01

       Ditto. Gimmicky or not, it’s the only way to actually give a point to DRS in the first place.
14. 

    Alistair
    24th March 2011, 13:56

    If a driver doesn’t think it’s safe to use, or if he doesn’t have the spare capacity to use it, then he shouldn’t use it. He doesn’t have to use it. When a driver complains about something which will give him laptime, you know there’s something wrong. The old guys, Webber and Rubens, might find it hard to adapt…whereas, Lewis and Co will be fine.
15. 

    reilly (@)
    24th March 2011, 14:21

    Mark is obviously one of these people that speaks a dumbed down version of English when speaking to a foreigner. Although his idea of dumbing down his English is changing his accent and saying uh… ten times more.
16. 

    paul barton
    24th March 2011, 14:26

    Is Mark doing a funny accent?
17. 

    Alex
    24th March 2011, 21:42

    I’ve been thinking about the DRS from a different angle, in competitive cycling staying together in a pack actually increases your average speed as you take it in turn to cut through the wind, sharing the effort. So it’s difficult to break away from the peloton on your own as it requires incredible exertion comparatively to the pack drafting.

    In theory, could two teammates, stay in very close formation for a number of laps say running second and third, each time they enter a straight they overtake and switch positions, each time gaining a fraction of a second. Because the leader has nobody to use his DRS on they should slowly but surely catch him… Theoretically possible? Yes. Feasible? probably not.
18. 

    RSWF1
    24th March 2011, 21:49

    This may have been answered before, say Vettel, Webber, Alonso and Hamilton at each within 1 second of each other coming onto the straight, they all get to use the DRS except vettel? Its going to make for some interesting 1st corner battles when a train builds up…
    1. 

       David-A (@david-a)
       24th March 2011, 23:47

       IIRC they’re not allowed to use it on the first couple of laps.

Comments are closed.