Nick Heidfeld: DRS has been made overtaking very easy, a special tactic in the past – Formula 1
Renault’s driver, Nick Heidfeld, has said that overtaking is way too easy in the 2011 Formula 1 season due to the introduction of the movable rear wing, also called DRS (Drag Reduction System).
Nick, driving since 2000, said that in the early days overtaking was a special move and only a few successful overtaking(s) were seen in a complete race.
The German driver from Renault, replacing injured Robert Kubica, said that a lot more overtaking has been seen in the 2011 season than in the past couple of seasons.
Nick said, “If you look at how much overtaking there has been so far, it is probably the most extreme thing I've seen in Formula One for a long time. Sometimes it's been a little too easy maybe, now? If you have old tyres and the other has fresh (ones),
then he runs around the outside, the inside, wherever”.
A report from the Italian news agency revealed that more than 150 overtaking maneuvers have been seen with the introduction of DRS and KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System). These two 2011 innovations have changed the course of the races in the 2011 season.
Contradicting with Nick, Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg has hailed the DRS system and said that it is one of the best innovations of the 2011 season.
The movable rear wing works in a way that reduces the drag on the car and the speed is increased by 15 to 20 kmh.
However, FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile) have shown concern over its use in the Monaco Grand Prix and is looking to ban it for the race in Monaco.
Nevertheless, DRS usage for Turkish Grand Prix is confirmed and drivers will take advantage of it from turn 11 to turn 12 in the Sunday race. In qualifiers, drivers will be free to use the movable rear wing to set the fastest time.
The fastest lap time on the Turkish Grand Prix is of Juan Pablo Montoya which is 1 minute and 24.770 seconds without DRS. With modern technology of DRS in use, breaking the record would be one of the things revolving around the drivers’ minds.
Tags: