Pirelli, KERS and DRS likely to assist overtaking at the upcoming 2011 Spanish GP – Formula 1 news
The fifth race of the Formula 1 2011 season is going to kick off in ‘a non-overtaking track’ of Barcelona with the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend.
Only this time, the Formula 1 teams will have the necessary ammunition in their cars to tackle the overtaking drought that has taken over the Spanish track for quite a long time. The ammo includes fast degrading Pirelli tyres and two energy booster instruments
called the Kinetic Energy Recovery System and Drag Reduction System.
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) came up with new idea of overtaking by introducing some changes to the car. Firstly, the Bridgestone tyres were replaced by the Pirelli tyres which degrade more than ever seen in Formula 1.
Pirelli built six types of tyres which degrade differently in different conditions. The hard compound tyres of Pirelli last the longest. However, compared to the Bridgestone tyres, even the hard Pirelli tyres wear out quickly.
The idea behind the degradation is that the cars do not run to their full potential in the whole race. As the Pirelli degrades, the pace of the car reduces dramatically which induces more overtaking if the preceding car is on a fresher set of tyres.
Not only the degradation induces overtaking but also increases the number of pit-stops which makes Formula 1 a sport not entirely dependent on the driver, but also on the pit-crew.
In the Turkish Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton lost a podium battle to Fernando Alonso when a bad pit stop cost him some important seconds. A record number of pit-stops were made in the Turkish GP more of which were due to the tyres.
The Spanish Grand Prix of the 2010 season only had 10 overtaking manoeuvres in total but things are expected to change this season. The Turkish Grand Prix saw more than 80 overtaking moves which make the Formula 1 fans believe that Barcelona will be something
special.
The 2011 Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix will be more interesting due to the fact that every team had 8 days of testing on the same track and familiarise themselves to the track and conditions before the season began.
Still, Pirelli is expected to surprise once again because the hot temperatures of Spain will open a new chapter in Pirelli degradation.
Apart from Pirelli, the DRS and KERS can be counted on as sidekicks, especially DRS. The movable rear wing or DRS works in such a way that the drag is reduced on the car when a hatch in the rear wing is opened. It adds 15 to 20kmph kick to the speed of the
car.
The DRS can only be used in certain areas of the track but even then, it has induced more than 200 overtaking moves so far. The KERS is not as useful as DRS but still will be used to its full potential in the Barcelona GP.
The Spanish Grand Prix will not be the same as 2010 thanks to the FIA innovations. The local fans will love to see their local boy Fernando Alonso of Ferrari finish on the podium as well.
The Free Practice sessions of the Spanish Grand Prix will be contested on Friday and hopefully the track plays as every Formula 1 fan wishes.
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