Olivier Panis: DRS is dangerous for F1, instead add hairpin before straight to improve overtaking
Former Formula 1 driver, Olivier Panis, has criticised the FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile) over the introduction of the Drag Reduction System (DRS), by saying that Formula 1 can be made more interesting without using it. Panis added that
Hairpin can be added before a long straight to introduce more overtaking.
Before the start of the 2011 season, most of the drivers would have agreed with Panis’ idea about the DRS, but as the first three races of the 2011 season is over, the usage of DRS has been more than beneficial.
“DRS system is the best innovation by the FIA”, commented Nico Rosberg, when he almost took his first podium of 2011 season in China. More than 150 overtaking maneuvers have been seen in the first three grand prix’s of the season out of which almost 100
are DRS induced.
Still, Panis believes that the DRS system is dangerous for the driver sitting in the cockpit. “I don't like it. Seriously, if you want to have some overtaking like in China, you need to do it with the circuit; if you put a hairpin before a long straight,
for sure you will have overtaking”, commented Panis.
He further added that, “I don't really understand who decides these things and if the guy was smoking something before he did. Really, I don't think F1 needs these types of new things”. Panis further added that the driver’s concentration in the driving seat
is compromised when different lights are illuminated on the steering wheel.
Panis’ idea about the DRS system emerges from a few miscalculations that the DRS system induces for drivers exiting the turn. One or two drivers misread the situation and ended up on rubble after pushing the DRS too far.
Apart from that, the DRS system has been used by many drivers on frequent occasions to take lead form the front running driver.
The 2011 season is on the way and no driver has yet raised a word against the DRS system, despite some teams like Ferrari have faced a constant issue with their DRS system.
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