Ross Brawn believes the drag discount system (DRS) that helps System 1 automobiles overtake one another is “clearly proving too highly effective”.
The system, generally known as DRS, was launched in 2011 and permits drivers to open a flap on their rear wing to extend the highest velocity and encourage extra overtaking.
The system has its limitations, although, as a driver can not open it until they’re inside one second of the motive force forward of them after they cross the DRS detection zone. Every monitor additionally has a restrict from one to a few zones the place DRS might be deployed.
Whereas it inspired overtakes upon its introduction, it has titled too far with the frequent theme of a ‘DRS practice’ the place drivers all comply with one another with out overtaking changing into more and more frequent.
Drivers are additionally much less opposed to go for dangerous overtakes in the event that they know they will simply breeze previous their opponent half a lap later.
The open rear wing, activating the DRS, on Ferrari’s 2022 F1 automobile
Getty Photos Xavier Bonilla
Be daring with the DRS
Brawn, who not too long ago retired because the managing director of motorsports for F1, believes the game must be daring in decreasing the effectiveness of DRS.
“The one factor we all know is followers, and we all know this as a result of we do not prefer it, they do not just like the ‘go down the straight, pop the DRS, overtake, drive quick, pull a spot’ all of that,” he advised Motorsport.com.
“I feel in a super world, DRS is used simply to get on the again of somebody, so you possibly can actually have a good assault.”
The previous Ferrari man commented that DRS’s goal has shifted from permitting drivers to get shut to 1 one other to allow straightforward overtakes.
Brawn highlighted the instance of the Australian Grand Prix this yr which had a DRS zone designed to push drivers nearer collectively.
“Should you bear in mind, they’d 4 DRS zones, and somebody managed to influence them to take considered one of them off, which was very annoying,” Brawn stated.
“These DRS zones weren’t about overtaking there, after which it was about getting on the again of somebody to have the ability to assault them within the subsequent complicated. And that is the perfect world.
“I feel we should not be afraid to cut back the DRS in locations like Monza, as a result of it does appear a bit ‘you get on the again of them, press the button, overtake.’ It’s kind of ritualistic, is not it?
“It is not very spectacular. And so we should not be afraid to cut back the usage of DRS the place it is clearly proving to be too highly effective.”
Ross Brawn
Getty Photos David Davies
Going again to pre-DRS
Brawn will not be alone in his criticism, and in Could, four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel stated he wish to see a return to the pre-DRS days.
“We do depend on the DRS in all probability greater than prior to now, to some extent,” the German stated.
“The attention-grabbing bit could be to take the DRS off and see how the racing actually is, if you’ll be able to overtake lots higher than prior to now.
“I am solely a bit cautious for the DRS, as a result of it was introduced in as an help to assist overtaking, however now it feels a bit prefer it’s the one factor that means that you can overtake at occasions.”
