The FIA has admitted the double-DRS system didn’t work in Canada but they are determined to experiment further with the system to find a happy medium.
The last race in Montreal saw the first use of two DRS activation zones but the latter allowed the active driver to further his lead had he managed to overtake in the first area.
Race director Charlie Whiting acknowledged the issue, but urged that two zones could work if they’re placed in the correct positions. However he also noted the difficulties involved in having two detection points, which many believe would be much more beneficial to give the trailing driver a chance to regain position after being overtaken in the first zone.
“I don’t think it worked in Canada. We were experimenting, but one of the things that emerged from it is that if a driver passes in the first sector he can then use it in the second sector,” Whiting said in Valencia.
“We were aware of that, and we just had a chat with drivers about it and they feel he should not be allowed to use it the second time. But it is not a trivial matter to get that to happen automatically. So we are discussing that. We want to try and use two sectors more.
On the matter of two detection zones, he replied: “We would need two detection points, two notification points and two activation points – and it doubles the chance of something going wrong. We have had a few problems because it involves beacons by the track, and that is the only thing I am wary of.”
The European GP will again feature two zones, as could Silverstone, but the FIA are yet to make a final decision. Although, the first zone will definitely be on the new start/finish straight.
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