DRS (Drag Reduction Systems) - Movable Rear Wing to Allow Passing? by Sportsman

There have been endless comments regarding the lack of overtaking in F1, processional races with the pole sitter in a start-to-flag win. Various schemes have been tried to improve "the show,"  (I hate that term). Now we have the latest harebrained idea: movable wings, wings whose use is tightly controlled by the ever evolving regulations.

Anyone who has watched F1 for many years, some fifty odd years in my case, will understand that in reality, there has never been a huge amount of overtaking in F1.Wheel to wheel battles rarely happen, as is the case in any open wheel racing series. The wheels and suspension are far to vulnerable for any “rubbin' racing” tactics.

It is true that F1 was more exciting many years ago. That was long before F1 cars became so dependent on aerodynamics. Mechanical grip was much more important before the advent of complex aero modeling.

Cornering speeds were slower but far more exciting and unpredictable, mostly due to driver errors, and errors were severly punished as there were not huge run off areas so common today. To run off usually meant your race was over. I fully understand the safety reasons for the run off areas, but drivers use them as a matter of course without incurring any real penality.

I can well remember when the first rear wings appeared, they stuck up on a pair of broom handles and fell off so often that the FIA promptly banned them.

1968 Lotus 49b

Naturally the man in the vanguard of this technology was Colin Chapman (RIP). As far as I remember, wings first appeared in 1967/8 or around that time.

This particular design philosophy came to an abrupt end after the 1969 Spanish GP. Piloting identical Lotuses, Jochen Rindt and Graham Hill had identical accidents on the Spanish circuit: wing failures while cresting the same ridge (both emerged without injury). Hill crashed first. Even before Hill could inform his pit of the failure, Rindt followed suit. Wings were banned completely following these copycat failures. They were allowed to return, in a limited form, shortly thereafter. But the technology was drastically restricted; the tall, movable wings favoured by the teams were banned outright.

But once the genie was out of the bottle, aerodynamics were developed at a frantic pace resulting in ground effect cars and ever more complex wings and eventually, further regulation.

The lack of overtaking has its root cause in the turbulence created by the wings. This results in the car trying to overtake being so unstable that its almost impossible to slipstream. The "dirty air" behind the leading car completely upsets the balance of the car following. Executing the classic “slingshot manoeuvre,” undoubtedly the most spectacular method of overtaking, is virtually impossible.

But F1 remains firmly wedded to aerodynamics and refuses to give them up. And now we have the ultimate irony of using aerodynamic "tricks" to negate the effects of aerodynamic influences.

Moveable rear wings are the supposed solution to the the "problem." An analysis of that effort will be discussed tomorrow.

 

Comments

[Rozza]

The beauty of of DRS system is that if it doesnt work out well (say during the first three races) the FIA can simply stop permitting its use and the season will continue as normal. If it does work well - great. My only concern is the concept of final lap passing for the lead.

[Flood1]

My concerns as well, Rozza. I dislike anything artifical, but my only complaint is the limited are where it can be used. Open up the usage and I'd be ok with it.

[Sportsman]

If use was unrestricted then it might possibly be a benefit.
But with the current restrictions I can't see it making any real difference.
But at time when the emphasis is on reducing costs to introduce an element that requires many hours of wind testing to refine does not make much sense to me.
Especially if it proves to be a flop.
Added to which it seems to me to provide an "artificial" element to the race.

[Mike B]

Thank you sportsman, couldn't have said it better myself.

There's already a "rubbin-is-racin'" series and it is not F1. I wish they would take it back a notch on the whole "show" aspect!

[Sportsman]

Thanks Mike.Your comments are appreciated and I share your views.
I want to see real racing.Not artificially engineered overtaking.

[CGS intake]

The Drag Reduction System (DRS) is perhaps the most interesting of the new Technical Regulations imposed on Formula 1 in 2011. The drivers will be able to use the system without restriction during practice and qualifying. A dashboard light will notify the driver when the system is enabled. The system is deactivated when the driver releases the button or brakes.

[ISC Coilovers]

Racing is a strategy and a tactical game in motorsports. It should also have rules and regulations so that everyone should share a fair tactic.

[CGS Motorports]

It was fun while it lasted though. But rules are rules. (sigh)