Mark Webber: DRS could turn out to be tricky at 2011 Japanese GP qualifiers – Formula 1 news
Red Bull Racing driver Mark Webber has said that the Drag Reduction System could turn out to be pretty tricky for the team in the qualifying session of the 2011 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.
The high-speed Suzuka circuit which is known for its characteristic fast corners is every driver’s dream racetrack.
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) had recently announced a single Drag Reduction Zone for the Suzuka race to avoid excessive overtaking during the race.
Webber stated that the given the tricky turns of the Suzuka track, using the DRS might turn out to be a little bit of a risky business for the teams. Many drivers however took their chances during Friday’s practice sessions and activated the DRS wing at
130R in order to gain some extra lap time. Kamui Kobayashi of Sauber narrowly escaped an accident at the same turn with his DRS activated.
“It's a challenging circuit; we know there are a couple of tricky corners that can catch us out and we're all pushing to the limit obviously,” Webber said, “We got some good information today; we ran both tyre compounds and completed some long runs, so not
a bad day. I don't think KERS will be a problem here, but it's possible that the DRS might catch a few people out.”
The second free practice session held on Friday saw Jenson Button of McLaren in the first place. Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso was second fastest and Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel was third fastest. Mark Webber, his teammate from RBR finished fourth.
Webber thinks that although the Red Bulls have not had much problems to face with the DRS during the two practice sessions held so far, other teams will have to be careful otherwise there is a chance they might to deal with some unfavourable circumstances.
His teammate, Sebastian Vettel said, “The circuit seems pretty tricky this year on these tyres - they make the cars seem more alive, so Sunday will be an interesting race. Taking 130R with the DRS open isn't as easy as it used to be!”
Let’s see how the team fares in the qualifying session. The race is scheduled to take place on Sunday, October 9, 2011 at Suzuka.
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