My DRS Theory

[Marbot]

I'm going to see how DRS works on the new 2014 cars before passing any judgement about its long term future.

It has obviously reduced the number of processional races that we used to get without making things look too easy. In fact, some drivers (Webber) at Spa still had a great deal of difficulty trying to get by the car in front whilst their DRS was being used.

[JamesH]

Originally Posted by Marbot

I'm going to see how DRS works on the new 2014 cars before passing any judgement about its long term future.

It has obviously reduced the number of processional races that we used to get without making things look too easy. In fact, some drivers (Webber) at Spa still had a great deal of difficulty trying to get by the car in front whilst their DRS was being used.

More down to the gearing on the RB I think, rather than any inability on MWs part. They may not be blindingly fast down the straight, even with DRS, but my god those RB's go round corners fast.

Going to make things interesting next year, with season specified gearing.

[Sodemo]

Originally Posted by JamesH

More down to the gearing on the RB I think, rather than any inability on MWs part. They may not be blindingly fast down the straight, even with DRS, but my god those RB's go round corners fast.

Going to make things interesting next year, with season specified gearing.

What does season specified gearing mean?

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

What does season specified gearing mean?

You will have 8 instead of 7 ratios, but those ratios are fixed (with the exception of just one change for 2014) from the start of the season to the end of the season.

9.6.2 Each competitor must nominate the forward gear ratios (calculated from engine crankshaft to drive shafts) to be employed within their gearbox. These nominations must be declared to the FIA technical delegate at or before the first Event of the Championship. For 2014 only a competitor may re-nominate these ratios once within the Championship season, in which case the original nomination becomes immediately void. Ratio re-nominations must be declared as a set.

[johnh875]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

please forgive the antagonism...ive had a few drinks!

but what will removing the reliance of aero accomplish?

this is after all a series where the best drivers drive the most reliable race cars ever built and they line up in order of who is fastest.

all things being equal the only time you should see a pass is if the leading driver/team makes a mistake.

But the leading drivers/teams DO make mistakes. They don't always have their act 100% in qualifying. Not to mention spins, pitstop mistakes etc that put faster cars behind slower.

Before DRS you could see cars that were 3sec/lap faster completely unable to pass because they could not stay close to the back of the car in front in the lead-up to an overtaking opportunity. I'm not saying DRS is the right solution, but until the aero dependency is reduced it can work. It can be over- or under-used of course.

Season-specified gearing - wow, that is a radical change! And not in a good way really. Gearing the same for Monza and Monaco...

[wolfhound]

They will be allowed 8 ratios and one change of the complete set. I can imagine a lot of head scratching going on to deside when to change after Monaco might be one as there are a lot of faster tracks following. although in the early part of the season there are high speeds required in Malaysia, China and Korea.
In some ways 8th gear is the easy bit, as it will be chosen on your desired top speed for a group of circuits. It is choosing the in between ones where it gets difficult. I suspect that we will have a new bunch of enginneering strategests trying to work that one out.

There will also be occasions where a car will not have the right gear for a piece of track leaving them vunerable to attack from the rear.

The drivers will also be able to add to their book of excuses where they were in the wrong gear at the time!