Felipe Massa has cautioned the FIA against running the drag-reduction system (DRS) on both straights in Malaysia.
The governing body have the power to change where, when and how the system is used throughout the season. They are yet to confirm where the system will be used in Malaysia, but it is expected to be on the start/finish straight.
Massa is against such an idea, saying it would make overtaking too easy, despite the system not proving too beneficial in Australia.
“With the moveable rear wing, the situation will be interesting here, because for the moment, the plan is to be allowed to use DRS during the race on the straight in front of the pits, but at Sepang, the straight that runs back the other way is actually longer,” he told the official Ferrari site.
“It is also true that it would offer a higher chance of overtaking. So, we are waiting for the final decision from the FIA to see if we use DRS on the front straight, the back one or both.
“The right decision could make the race more interesting for drivers and the spectators too. Personally, I am not sure that allowing DRS on both straights is the best option, because I think it might actually make overtaking too easy. You have to get the right balance between helping the chances of overtaking and having almost too much passing.”
The Brazilian is of the opinion that drivers will use the system to get closer to the lead car on the longer back straight, before making an overtaking move on the start/finish straight.
“At Sepang, the two straights follow one another, so if you are quicker than the car ahead, you might not even try and pass on the first straight, preferring to get well prepared and as close as possible, before then having a simple overtaking move on the second straight,” he added.
