A second DRS zone has been added at the Nurburgring for this year’s race and the original zone has been shortened slightly.
As in 2011, when F1 last raced at the track, the first detection point on the lap will be before the Kumho-Kurve (turn ten). The activation point at the exit of the Bit-Kurve will be seven metres later than it was last year.
That will allow drivers to use DRS on the approach to the Veedol chicane. The detection point for the new, second DRS zone is after the chicane, 40 metres before the final corner.
Drivers will not be able to activate DRS until 135 metres after the last turn.
2013 German Grand Prix
Image © Red Bull/Getty
Alfie (@alfie)
4th July 2013, 13:20
Both detection points look way too early. Especially the first one.
Coanda (@ming-mong)
4th July 2013, 15:10
Purely only a guess but I wonder if they placed it before T10 to entice drivers to still have a go at sticking a move into T10. If it was after T10 then drivers would possibly hold back and not try that move as they can just wait for DRS after T12. This way if they pull the move off then they get the move done + the added bonus of DRS to pull away. All a bit silly in my opinion.
I am not full against DRS, just they way the system is designed. Id rather see no zones and drivers bee allocated DRS time for the whole GP so they can use it to be either offensive or defensive which would lead to greater strategy. Same with KERS as most drivers harvest and press in the same areas which negates the whole system. I haven’t really thought this one out but you could also offer a litle more DSR/KERS time as a pole incentive. But then again being on pole is a big enough bonus and has enough merit.
Coanda (@ming-mong)
4th July 2013, 13:21
D.R.S. = Dissimulate Racing Section
sdtaylor91 (@sdtaylor91)
4th July 2013, 13:58
They seem to be installing 2 DRS zones just for the sake of it. In 2011, there was plenty of great overtaking and wheel to wheel action on the pit straight.
I thought the whole point of DRS was to get drivers alongside each other for a chance to overtake. Even though that was the case without DRS in 2011, they’ve still added DRS this year, stupid.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
4th July 2013, 14:00
@sdtaylor91
The reasoning behind having two zones at most races this year is to ensure teams have an incentive to set their cars up to gain a benefit from using DRS for overtaking, as they no longer have free use of it in qualifying.
sdtaylor91 (@sdtaylor91)
4th July 2013, 14:19
That does make sense, sorry for being an armchair expert there Keith
It’s just that in 2011 the racing into turn 1 was great, I’m just worried that DRS is gonna kill that off.
Hamilton was incredible here last time, and with the cooler tyre temperatures with kevlar rears, he’s surely the favourite
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
4th July 2013, 22:33
@sdtaylor91 I do think DRS is making overtaking too easy. The last few laps at Silverstone were pathetic. The difference between fresh and old tyres could have given us some nice scraps for position. Instead we just had drivers breezing past their rivals on the Hangar straight.
mantresx (@mantresx)
4th July 2013, 17:00
I knew it! I was sure there was a technical reason for having 2 DRS zones.
It’s just a shame that the FIA doesn’t know how to use DRS properly at every track, for example they could’ve had 2 zones for practice/qualy and 1 for the race, but of course we’ll never see something like that.
Which is a shame because I think the concept of DRS is not flawed, is the way they use it what is flawed.
Michal (@michal2009b)
5th July 2013, 23:42
Come on Keith, where DRS ruined British GP?
Webber’s moves on Ricciardo on Sutil were non-DRS related, as were Alonso and Hamilton’s on Button and Ricciardo. Webber’s pass on Raikkonen had nothing to do with DRS. Alonso and Hamilton breezed by Kimi – OK, but as we saw earlier with Webber, DRS made little difference, traction on fresh tyres was much better.
Lewis McMurray (@celicadion23)
4th July 2013, 14:09
DRS zone 1’s activation point is in a weird place, right before a high-speed turn? surely you need DRS closed to be able to take turn 12 at speed?
MJ (@mjf1)
4th July 2013, 14:25
Turn 12 is not really a full turn, it is just a slight kink and generally it can be taken at full throttle with DRS open.
nackavich (@nackavich)
4th July 2013, 14:25
It’s not much of a corner, more of a kink really. The amount of downforce the cars have at that speed won’t really be affected by DRS.
Miguel Bento (@miguelbento)
4th July 2013, 15:41
That is not really a turn, it is easily flat out, even when it’s wet.
Enigma (@enigma)
4th July 2013, 15:09
From what I remember DRS worked perfectly when F1 was last here in 2011. DRS allowed the driver behind to get closer and have a proper battle on the start finish straight.
Michael Brown (@)
4th July 2013, 18:50
Watch the 2011 race and you’ll see that they don’t need the DRS for the straight.