Charlie Whiting: Spectators will not have any confusion regarding the DRS in 2011 – Formula 1 news
According to International Automobile Federation (FIA) race director Charlie Whiting, the fans will not be confused because of the reintroduction of the adjustable rear wings or Drag Reduction System in the 2011 Formula 1 season.
Reports have revealed that the television viewers will be indicated when drivers use their movable rear wings during the races in order to give the audience a clear view of what is happening as it is believed that the audience might get confused because
of the sudden changes.
“There's no reason to suppose spectators will be confused. Operation of the wing is simple, there will be marks on the track to show the area where proximity is being detected and a line across the track at the point where the drivers whose system is armed
may deploy it,” said Whiting.
The FIA therefore decided to give the audience information real-time about the regulations and use of the wings but it has not been confirmed how they will show it on the screen live.
“Furthermore, the television broadcasters will be sent a signal each time a system is armed and this will be displayed to the viewers,” added Whiting.
Other than that, it has been revealed that the 600m overtaking zone that is going to be specified by the FIA for each track, where the drivers will be allowed to enable their adjustable rear wing, is going to be marked by a line on the track starting from
which the one-second time limit for its use is going to be measured.
Whiting also explained that during the free practice sessions on Friday and Saturday, the teams may be allowed to test this device in order to get used to its mechanism for each track in a race environment but it has not been confirmed yet by the FIA officially.
“We've written the software to allow a driver to override the system if, for example, the proximity detection failed for any reason,” he said.
He explained that the drivers will be given the facility of manually operating the system if the electronics fail for some reason but the instructions in this case will be given by the race director to the team and if the teams use the device in an unauthorised
manner, heavy penalties would be imposed.
Nevertheless, the adjustable rear wings are going to add more drama to racing this year along with the reintroduction of the Kinetic Energy Recovery System and the new Pirelli tyres that will add their fair share of technicalities resulting in entertainment
and drama as well.
The 2011 Formula 1 season is expected to be one of the most entertaining and complicated seasons in the history of the sport but things would get much clearer after the season opening race that is expected to take place in Australia on March 27, 2011.
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