Fernando Alonso: Pirelli tyres induced more overtaking than Drag Reduction System – Formula 1
Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso has voiced his reservations against the Drag Reduction System and said that it reduces the driver’s effort and brings artificial overtaking in play.
The Spaniard said that the Pirelli tyres have induced more overtaking, which makes more sense than the DRS-induced overtaking. Alonso’s anger about the DRS is understandable as he lost a podium position to Red Bull’s Mark Webber in the recently held Turkish
Grand Prix.
Alonso stated, “I think it was fine. The overtaking we saw was more from tyre-performance difference than DRS. I like it; we are getting used to it. It is what the people asked [for]. More show, more pit stops, more overtaking.”
Many other drivers have also shown concerns over the DRS system. The DRS or movable rear wing reduces the drag on the car which improves its straight-line speed. The rule about using the DRS is that the chasing car can use it but the car in front will have
no advantage from it.
Renault’s Nick Heidfeld also voiced similar concerns about the DRS. The German said that it makes Formula 1 more artificial.
Alonso did his fourth pit stop in the Turkish GP and was on a fresher set of tyres while Mark Webber’s tyres were almost five laps old. Still, Webber overtook the Spaniard in the final few laps of the race by using the DRS system.
Alonso added that apart from an injustice to the driver in front, the DRS is also confusing for the spectators.
Spaniard stated, “You can follow the first five guys but you cannot follow the 14th place because it is already too many stops. But the important thing is [having] lots of people in the grandstands and lots of people in front of the television and hopefully
this year it is better.”
Nevertheless, a record number of overtaking manoeuvres have been completed using the movable rear wing.
After a dull 2010 season, the DRS system has helped to make Formula 1 a less boring sport. Still many drivers think that with the introduction of Pirelli tyres, the movable wing technology should be dropped.
Let’s see how the next two races in Monaco and Spain transpire with the DRS in place.
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