22/03/2011
NEWS STORY
Mat Coch writes:
Moveable rear wings could be abandoned if they prove ineffective or too confusing says FOTA chairman Martin Whitmarsh.
Introduced in reaction to fans desire to see more overtaking, moveable wings, or drag reduction system (DRS), have polarised opinion both within the paddock and with fans.
"When we surveyed media and fans they questioned the amount of overtaking in Formula One," Whitmarsh explained. "The technical people were given a challenge to come up with a solution, or potential solution, and the drag reduction system was perceived."
The system allows drivers to alter the angle of the rear wing when within one second of the car ahead at a predetermined point on the circuit, usually the corner before the longest straight. By activating the system the following car is expected to be as much as 12kph faster by the time it reaches the braking zone. Readily available during practice and qualifying the device can only be used two laps after the start of the race, or two laps after a safety car restart.
Speaking during a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes phone-in the McLaren boss admitted the system may prove too complicated. "I can understand the viewpoint that an additional complication, is that what the fans and the spectators want? It may well be that it's too complicated for all fans to appreciate."
So it would seem, given many have called for a simpler solution, most notably the drivers who are concerned their workload in the cockpit is becoming too great.
Whitmarsh however is not concerned, believing teams and drivers are capable of coping with the device. "It's manageable but clearly each piece of complication that you put into a car arguably decreases its safety," he concedes. "Our drivers don't see an issue, I think Ferrari and I'm sure now Mercedes drivers wont' have an issue."
However if the system proves too complicated, or worse doesn't do what it was hoped it would do, it could simply be switched off. "It isn't easy to find a way to increase overtaking," said Whitmarsh. "But if it isn't working or it's confusing or its unnecessary then you just prevent its operation."