DRS in Monaco - Update

[Raz]

found this funny, Rubens is sadistically obsessed with Michael..

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/190520...ds-rivals.html

Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton were dissenting voices in the face of concern from Formula One rivals about safety at next week's Monaco Grand Prix.


Williams' Rubens Barrichello, Schumacher's former Ferrari team mate who chairs the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, said this month that the new driver-activated moveable rear wing could be dangerous on the unforgiving streets of the Mediterranean principality.

The wing is designed to make overtaking easier, something that has always been next to impossible on Monaco's tight and twisty layout, but there are fears it could also encourage risky manoeuvres.

Questioned further at the Spanish Grand Prix, the Brazilian said the subject would be discussed again in the drivers' briefing on Friday.

"It was every driver, apart from Michael, that saw the thing the same way as I did," he told reporters of their last meeting at the previous round in Turkey.

"(Race director) Charlie (Whiting) said 'So everybody agrees that it is not a good thing?' and then Michael said he didn't agree. He must have something on the car that is technically very good. Then the (discussion) just fell off from there."

Schumacher, who has had plenty of run-ins with Barrichello over the years and has also won five times in Monaco, confirmed to reporters he did not share the Brazilian's reservations.

"I don't think it is too dangerous to push a couple of buttons... the (governing) FIA I am pretty sure is able and capable of finding spots where you can activate them (the wings) without any danger," he said.

"I'm sorry if I may have a different opinion to the others.

I don't think I have been alone in that but that's my opinion."

McLaren's 2008 world champion Hamilton, who counts Monaco as a favourite race and won there in his title-winning year, dismissed Barrichello's assertion that the seven times world champion had been a lone dissenter.

"I am excited to use it (the DRS)," he said. "I was the only one in the drivers' briefing that was for it."

Hamilton laughed when it was put to him that Schumacher was the lone voice supporting the DRS in the briefing.

"No he wasn't," the Briton scoffed. "When I mentioned it, he did come back and say 'Well, actually we could use it at the exit of the tunnel for 100 metres. He was the only one to come out with a positive comment on that.

"But generally everyone else wasn't very positive."
Eurosport

[Brakefade]

The main straight is probably the safest location to use it.

[elekvault]

I agree with MS that the tunnel exit is probably the best spot for DRS, since there's the chicane after it and a pretty wide area, so it looks like the less dangerous zone for it. It's not much, but it would help a bit to get a better position to overtake during or after the chicane.

The main straight looks like a nice place too, but somehow feels more dangerous, with all the walls, and the pit lane exit... what about Beau Rivage?

[Raz]

I agree with MS that the tunnel exit is probably the best spot for DRS, since there's the chicane after it and a pretty wide area, so it looks like the less dangerous zone for it. It's not much, but it would help a bit to get a better position to overtake during or after the chicane.

The main straight looks like a nice place too, but somehow feels more dangerous, with all the walls, and the pit lane exit... what about Beau Rivage?

just shows how much Michael is already thinking.. i mean, if everyone else didn't see that (ok, and lew's just said "yeah, yeah, what that guy just said"), man Michael is still very crafty

[redsteph]

Blimey Rubens has 'issues' doesn't he

[Raz]

Blimey Rubens has 'issues' doesn't he

he's obsessed with Michael ain't he? i mean come on twobens! let it go!

[Greig]

Not really? Don't see what he said was being so bad against Schumacher?

[Jose Lorca]

I am still opposed to the idea of DRS in Monaco. As I have stated before, putting the DRS zone on the pit straight (which is the only sensible place to put it) will have little effect in the race.

As for qualifying, at least they've banned DRS in the tunnel - it was my biggest concern that a driver was going to fancy his chances and have a horrible accident. Hopefully the drivers will be more careful now, but I still don't see why the DRS is necessary. Due to the overtaking difficulties at that track, the DRS is only important for qualifying, and that's where the problem lies.

The DRS was brought in as an overtaking aid - it should effect the races only.

I hope I am not sounding like Rubens, but I feel there are still safety concerns, and when experienced drivers like Webber, Trulli and Barrichello voice those concerns, they ought to be taken seriously.

[Julie B]

From Autosport

Formula 1 drivers will be banned from using the DRS in the tunnel at this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix after the FIA reacted to drivers' concerns on Monday, AUTOSPORT can reveal.

On the back of continued fears from drivers that it could be too dangerous to use the DRS through the tunnel in practice and qualifying, FIA race director Charlie Whiting wrote to the Grand Prix Drivers' Association members on Monday to tell them he agreed with their stance.

To prevent the possibility of drivers being forced to take risks through the tricky right-hander in the tunnel by trying out DRS for a speed boost, Whiting told drivers that he was stamping out the possibility.

The FIA will lay down a ban on DRS between two points on the Monaco circuit - distance markers 1350m and 2020m - which is the area around the tunnel.

DRS use will be free elsewhere and the overtaking zone will be laid out on the start-finish straight - because the more obvious tunnel area was too dangerous.

Whiting had said last weekend that he did not believe that safety matters relating to Monaco were enough to justify banning DRS totally at Monaco.

However, not all drivers agreed with the decision and had continued to lobby him for a unique DRS ban in the tunnel.

"I would love the people at the top to sit in the car and try to do the tunnel with the DRS open," Rubens Barrichello said in Spain.

"In my opinion, they are waiting for something bad to happen. And when it happens, they will just say, 'oh, next year we will not have it for Monaco.'"

[Hornet]

Rubens is one stubborn guy

[Agron]

It feels like having Schumy on the other side of the argument has only helped to strengthen his resolve . Maybe Schumy knew that and used reverse psychology to make Rubens campaign for what he wants?

[sv_godspeed]

Rubens = boo hoo!

[scuderiafan]

should help us, as we have some good top speed, without it. but mostly Sauber, as they are consistently the fastest throught the traps.

will not help the bulls much, though.

[Ken]

Dear me Rubens

Monaco is historicaly bad for over taking so why get all upset about being given chances. Maybe hes afraid hes the one that will be constantly overtaken