DRS, introduced in 2011, has sparked mixed reviews since its inception.

DRS functions by allowing drivers to boost their straight-line speed by reducing rear wing drag through a designated slot that can be activated when they are less than a second behind the car in front. 

While some welcomed the increased number of overtakes, purists within the sport have consistently decried DRS for generating what they consider to be artificial passes. 

Want to work in Formula 1? Browse the latest F1 job vacancies

Ironically, in recent times, there have been complaints that DRS makes overtaking too effortless.

Turrini aligns himself with the purist perspective, stating, “I have maintained since it was introduced that this is not a good thing. 

“It has nothing to do with the idea I have of motor racing. 

“Having said that, please. “I don’t like being taken for a ride. The DRS overtaking is fake.”

He further elaborated on his viewpoint, reminiscing about the pre-DRS era, when overtaking in Formula 1 was a rare sight. 

Turrini recalled, “Before DRS, I was there. Overtaking in F1 was practically never seen. To remember one or two a year, if it was good.”

Turrini, a lifelong attendee of racetracks, emphasised that, contrary to some claims, the sport was not inherently more exciting in those days. 

He stated, “Honestly, racing was more boring back in the day. And that’s that. After that, DRS is like methadone. It doesn’t make you heal.”

In addition to his critique of DRS, Turrini weighed in on Red Bull’s dominant performance in the current season. 

Red Bull has yet to be defeated on a Sunday, and Max Verstappen recently achieved a record-setting 10 consecutive race wins at Monza.

Addressing concerns about the season’s entertainment value, Turrini recalled eras when other teams, such as McLaren, Williams, Ferrari, and Mercedes, enjoyed periods of dominance.

 He noted, “McLaren won the Drivers’ World Championship in 1984/1985/1986/1988/1989/1990/1991. 

Williams lost just two between 1992 and 1997 because there was a tragedy in between. Ferrari from 1999 to 2008, I don’t even remember. 

Vettel’s four-year stint with Red Bull. The Mercedes era from 2014 onwards.”

READ: Hugo Boss confirms F1 entry

The Italian Grand Prix also witnessed a late-race duel between Ferrari teammates Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, with Leclerc aggressively pursuing third place. 

While Ferrari’s team boss, Fred Vasseur, defended the decision to allow the battle, former F1 engineer Ernest Knoors argued that a “stronger” team boss would have ordered them to maintain their positions.

Turrini offered his perspective on the matter, stating, “As long as they don’t throw themselves out and as long as they compete and achieve the best possible result for the Scuderia, in my opinion, the two can do whatever they want. 

“If they had rolled instead, I would have eaten them raw. It’s the outcome that makes a difference, not the behaviour itself.”

The post DRS compared to ‘methadone’ appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

The Drag Reduction System (DRS) has been the subject of much debate this season, with Red Bull having managed to develop a part that allows them to easily glide past their competitors.

However, while Red Bull’s DRS has seen them thrive, others have struggled as DRS zones have been shortened at the past two races.

In Baku, the main DRS straight was shortened, resulting in the fewest number of overtakes of a race this season and long DRS trains.

Want to work in Formula 1? Browse the latest F1 job vacancies

Miami saw officials take a similar approach, cutting down the length of two DRS zones, making it harder for drivers to rise through the grid around the tight track.

The changes were met with outrage from drivers after they weren’t consulted on the changes before they were put into effect.

George Russell, head of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, accused the FIA of making “knee-jerk” reaction.

“We need to calm down a little bit all these discussions about the DRS being too long, the DRS being too short,” Krack told Speedcafe.com.

“This is something that the FIA and F1 are doing at the tracks and not everybody should go lobbying for what is best for themselves because then it is up and down all the time.

READ: Christian Horner worried about Lewis Hamilton as Mercedes to unleash B-spec car

“At the end of the day, the purpose of the DRS is to ease overtaking. Unfortunately, it is one of the few tools that we have, and we have to leave the decision-makers to make the best [decisions] for the sport.”

With two sides becoming increasingly vocal on both sides of the debate, the FIA looks likely to find itself in a tricky spot in the coming weeks.

It’s unclear what the outcome will be but it’s probable that this discussion won’t be ending anytime soon.

The post ‘Calm down’: Aston Martin boss hits out at rival team principals appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

DRS was first introduced in 2011 as a system to encourage more overtaking during races.

READ: This Is Where Ricciardo Is Losing The Most Time To Norris

The system features a movable flap on the rear wing of the car which opens to reduce aerodynamic drag, making it easier for the car to accelerate and allowing them to achieve higher top speeds.

Drivers can only activate DRS on certain straights (or sometimes just one straight) of a circuit in qualifying, and on race day they must be within one second of the car in front for them to be able to use DRS on these pre-determined straights.

At the reveal of the 2022 full-scale model car at Silverstone, DRS was notably missing.

However, F1 bosses have stated that DRS will remain a feature for at least one more season. 

It is expected that DRS will be dropped if cars are able to follow closely thanks to the new 2022 regulations, which will see the return of the ground-effect and other significant changes to the cars’ aerodynamics.

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown said that keeping DRS in 2022 “is a good idea.”

“I think from everything everyone has told me, both within my team and others, everyone thinks it [the new rules] will work,” Motorsport.com quoted Brown as saying.

“But I think until you get it on track, you don’t know.

“So I think to keep DRS initially is a good idea, and then I think, much like the sprint race, let’s get these race cars on the track and figure out: Has it worked exactly as prescribed? Do they need modification? Do they need DRS? Do we need it for a less or shorter period of time?

READ: Bugatti-Partnered Car-Maker Not Ruling Out Entering F1 ‘Someday’

“Everyone thinks conceptually, what has been designed should work. But we won’t know until we get it on the track,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff pointed out that: “DRS was implemented because the cars were so efficient in terms of downforce, and so equal in terms of performance that you weren’t really able to follow them.”

Wolff stated that he thinks DRS is currently a “fantastic part of the show”, but added that it could be rendered “obsolete” if the new regulations make it easier to follow.

Follow us on Google News to never miss an F1 story!

The post Wolff Believes 2022 Regulations Could Render DRS ‘Obsolete’ appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.