F1 Debate: Are Drag Reduction Systems good for Formula One?

Text Size: Smaller - Bigger

Home » F1 Blog » April 3 2011 at 8:50 | posted by Martin Porter | 7 comments made so far - add one
Photo: F1 Debate: Are Drag Reduction Systems good for Formula One?

Are Drag Reduction Systems good for Formula One?

Moveable rear wings, known as Drag Reduction Systems, have been introduced into Formula One this year. The idea is to increase the level of overtaking and make the races more exciting, but the systems have proven to be controversial with some fans suggesting they only create artificial racing.

The case for Drag Reduction Systems

It’s great that FOTA and the FIA are taking steps to improve the spectacle of Formula One. Overtaking is the very essence of racing, and the DRS will create more of this by giving drivers extra opportunities to attack a slower car. It’s always a shame when a fast driver is caught behind a backmarker because the aerodynamics of his car won’t let him follow closely. Spicing up the show is a positive move for the sport, and it will be good to see more wheel-to-wheel action.

Jenson Button used the DRS to pass Kamui Kobayashi in Melbourne, and without it he might have been caught behind the Sauber for many laps in a frustrating situation, similar to the one between Fernando Alonso and Vitaly Petrov at Abu Dhabi last year.

The case against Drag Reduction System

The moveable rear wings are a gimmick that only produce artificial racing. There is no skill in passing someone by using the DRS and it detracts from the skill of overtaking. It’s similar to an unfair slow player boost in a video game and prevents drivers from fighting each other on equal terms. A great manoeuvre should be the result of driving skill, not a technical advantage. Also, the rules that govern the moveable wings and their use are terribly complicated for casual F1 fans.

Jenson Button used his DRS to pass Kamui Kobayashi in Melbourne, but it wasn’t an exciting manoeuvre, and it wasn’t genuine racing which is what the FIA and FOTA should be focused on improving.

Have your say

What do you think? Have you say below and join the debate. Are Drag Reduction Systems good for Formula One?

Posted by Martin Porter. - Follow him on twitter @mpondaweb.

Recent comments on this article:

#1 MartyP | 3 Apr 2011, 07:50 Reply »

I'm happy to give the new rules more time (it's only been one race after all), but personally I am against the DRS. I don't think it adds to the spectacle because it only produces artificial racing, and having one driver pass another along a straight isn't the most exciting type of overtaking anyway. I think it's too confusing for casual fans, and I don't even think it's required. 2010 was one of the best seasons in recent memory, and Pirelli tyres could make 2011 even better, so why do we NEED to improve the show with such a controversial measure?

I'm all for making overtaking easier, but not by unfairly disadvantaging the defending driver.

#2 snow | 3 Apr 2011, 12:08 Reply »

If you want to get rid of DRS, you need to get rid of KERS - because that really is pushing a button to give that boost.

But DRS should be kept because the reliance on aerodynamics makes it extremely difficult to even get close to the car in front due to the "dirty air" effect. Racing in the olden days relied on mechanical grip which allowed "slip streaming." The DRA has, to some extent brought back the ability slip stream - which is a good thing.

#3 Jimmy@enterF1 | 3 Apr 2011, 13:58 Reply »

My initial thought is that I am for it, and if Jenson Button got past artificially on Kobayashi, then Kobayashi should have been within a second of JB as they came round on the next lap to get his place back? Just a thought anyway...

#4 PTaruffi | 3 Apr 2011, 18:47 Reply »

They seem to have greatly changed the rules to allow a moveable aerodynamic device that flaps away out in the breeze, and I don't understand why they didn't instead change the rules just a little to allow the establishment and further development of the F-duct, an ingenious and elegant (in the engineering sense of the term) device for achieving the same effect.

And in general I don't understand what the barrier is to just deciding to massively reduce aerodynamic downforce to a level that merely enhances safety, thereby encouraging drafting (and spirited driving with visibly spectacular car-control!).

#5 Seb | 4 Apr 2011, 09:10 Reply »

I'm on the fence about DRS until it has time to bed in.

I do pick up on your statement within the post:

" A great manoeuvre should be the result of driving skill, not a technical advantage." - not quite correct.

Formula 1 is the pinnacle of skill AND technical capability, it's a team sport. A great manoeuvre is the coupling of driving skill (driver) and technical advantage (team).

#6 Jimmy@enterF1 | 4 Apr 2011, 17:08 Reply »

One random thought is.... that Codemasters must be scratching their heads as to where they are going to map an extra 2 buttons (KERS and DRS) into F1 2011 which comes out later this year! There were plenty of controls to fit in F1 2010......

#7 Tackitt | 22 Apr 2011, 22:32 Reply »

Obviously, it has helped the competition however, rather than make things more complicated, why not make them simpler?

Remove, not only DRS and KERS but airfoils in general? Why is that not an option?

Please post a new comment:

Your name*

Your email*

Comment*

Are you human? * We hate spam! Please enter the following number into the box below: 34

* Please complete all 4 fields to send a comment.
From James Wilson, the owner of enterF1.com:
EnterF1 Flag

"Thanks for visiting our website, enterF1.com. Have you got a suggestion? A potential improvement? Or if you would just like to get in touch with us then please do!"

"We listen to all our website fans and love to hear from you, so please leave some feedback or feel free to tweet me @enterF1."