Former Renault boss Flavio Briatore hails new Formula One regulations
Former Renault team principal Flavio Briatore has hailed the new regulations introduced into Formula One for the 2011 season as a success. He claimed that the Chinese Grand Prix was one of the best races he had ever witnessed, as there were a lot of overtaking
and thrilling manoeuvres in the race. The result was also quite uncertain, as things kept on changing dramatically throughout the race.
Talking to the media, Briatore stated, “I've seen the race on TV and I confess that I've never enjoyed myself so much. We used to get bored with car processions: who got off ahead would stay there until the end, if he didn't make mistakes.”
The Italian further added, “A driver's ability is brought out by both his driving and his tactical reasoning because in the end, if you look at the classification at the finish, the best emerge. So I must say that the new rules have finally made F1 a thrill.
Before it was depressive, while now there is unpredictability.”
There has been a lot of praise for the new Formula One regulations all over the world. The major changes included the use of Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS), Drag reduction system (DRS) and the return of Pirelli tyres.
With the help of the KERS and DRS, the drivers are able to gain straight-line speed while overtaking a car ahead. The drivers are allowed to use both systems freely throughout the practice and qualifying sessions. However, DRS has a limited use during the
race day.
The sport’s governing body, the FIA, specifies a DRS zone prior to the race and the driver chasing a car can use the system in that specified area. However, the driver has to be within 600 metres of the car in-front in order to activate the system.
Although there are many factors which have made Formula One quite interesting, the biggest has been the Pirelli tyres. The Italian rubber was manufactured to degrade quickly so that the races could become more uncertain. This is exactly what happened during
the Chinese GP, as different drivers took the lead during race day.
Red Bull’s driver Sebastian Vettel started the race from number one on the grid, but was overtaken by McLaren’s Jenson Button on the opening lap. After the first routine pit-stop in the race, Mercedes’ driver Nico Rosberg emerged as the leader. Things again
changed, as the reigning champion took his lead back from his countryman. However, McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton had the last laugh, overtaking Vettel in the closing stages of the race. He maintained his position until the end, winning his first race of the ongoing
season.
Apart from this battle at the top, there were a couple of drivers fighting lower down the order. One of them was Mark Webber, who started the race from 18th and finished third overall after driving the wheels out of his Red Bull. The fans and
Formula One fraternity can expect the same level of competitiveness during the remainder of the season.
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