If you follow Formula 1, you will know that this years regulations include a fancy new rear-wing option called Drag Reduction System (DRS). DRS is designed to unload the drag from the rear-wing in order to make overtaking easier. Formula 1 has for some time been a bit too “processional”, with very little overtaking occurring in races. DRS and other changes for 2011 have so far, on the face of it, improved the situation considerably. However, I can’t help wondering if DRS may prove to be a bad idea in the long run. The rule change requires that the chasing car be within1 second of the car to be overtaken just before the start of a designated overtaking zone. If that condition is met the driver of the chasing car can press the DRS button once on the straight; the wing will unload, and his car will have the equivalent of 80bhp extra with which to overtake the guy in front – who cannot invoke his DRS to defend. So far this seems to have made overtaking much easier in the designated overtaking zone, but not much overtaking is going on elsewhere. In the two races so far this season, attempts to overtake elsewhere have often ended in disaster for one of both cars. (Alonso/Hamilton in Malaysia). Surely the team managers are going to instruct their drivers now to wait until they get on the overtaking straight before having a go. This will mean we’ll see overtaking only on one part of the track – which is barely any more entertaining that the overtaking that used to happen in the pitstops. Also, imagine as a driver you are in the penultimate lap, and you are in first place with the chasing driver right behind you. With only one part of the track where you can realistically overtake, you are in the worst track position. You would want to be second on the penultimate lap and DRS virtually guarantees an overtake for the chasing car.
I’ll comment on my own post – having just watched the Chinese GP in Shanghai, arguably the most entertaining GP in recent years I am ready to eat my words about DRS. The FIA seem to be thinking a lot about the DRS ‘rules of engagement’. What happened in Shanghai was a perfect example of how, implemented correctly, these rule changes can really make a positive difference. LOADS of overtaking throughout the lap; massive drive from Webber; great job by Pirelli with the new tyres. This season look like it will be even better than last year..as long as Ferrari and McLaren can catch the Bulls!
With formula 1 coming to Austin in 2012, I think it is only fair that Scalable, as good citizens of the ITAM marketplace, should host an international conference at around the same time of the race weekend (June or November?). That way, us geeks who like both ITAM and F1 could discuss these points over a beer or two!