DRS limited during practice and qualifying in 2013

The FIA has decided to reduce the usage of DRS in 2013. Since its introduction in 2011, the movable rear wing could be used anywhere on the circuit during free practice sessions and qualifying, whereas during the race, drivers could only activate it in a specifically designated zone (or two depending on the circuit) provided they were less than one second behind the car ahead at the detection point. Now, this ‘DRS zone’ will be applicable throughout the entire weekend and not just on Sunday.

The reason for this adjustment in the usage of the system is mainly due to concerns raised by Charlie Whiting. We are going to ban the use of DRS during tests and qualifications except in the zone where it will be used during the race. This is something we explained to the teams the other day and we are doing it for safety reasons, explains Whiting, who adds that this concern arises from the fact that drivers open their DRS very early when exiting a corner: One might say that the quick use of DRS is not very different from a sudden acceleration, but DRS is an on/off system, whereas acceleration can be controlled.

It is, moreover, already for safety reasons that this system was banned in the Monaco tunnel or in the Spa-Francorchamps Raidillon. The other argument is that, initially, this system aimed to facilitate overtaking. Its use outside of the race is therefore not really justified.

In 2011, we didn’t really want it in qualifying or during practice, but we were concerned that it might lead to systems that weren’t optimized. Today, I believe that, based on the information we have, we shouldn’t see a decrease in its effectiveness. Teams will continue to use it even if they can only do so at two places on the circuit. The benefit will still exist, Whiting analyzes.