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Yellow flags will no longer disable DRS

Published on 08 Jun 2018 18:42
7
By: Fergal Walsh

The drag reduction system will no longer be disabled during a yellow flag period throughout a race weekend after Formula 1 teams requested a change to the FIA.

The alteration comes effective immediately, starting at this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix. A third DRS straight was added between Turns 7 and 8 for the event, in a bid to get the cars racing closer together, with teams requesting a change to the disabling procedure under a yellow flag.

F1 race director Charlie Whiting's pre-race notes previously read: "DRS will be globally disabled if panels 1, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14 or 15 are displaying yellow,” and “detection will be automatically disabled if the light panels below are displaying yellow: Zone 1: Panels 5 or 6 Zones 2 and 3: Panels 10 or 11.”

The teams originally requested for the DRS to remain enabled at all times under a yellow flag, except if the section of track containing the yellow flag was in a DRS zone. However, an updated version of Whiting's notes has been released, stating that DRS will be enabled at all times under a yellow flag.

F1 News

Replies (7)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
Why though? DRS is a tool meant to boost speed during overtakes and reduce gaps to the car in front, none of which are things that should be promoted during yellow flags.
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- Jun 8 2018 - 20:28
- f1dave
  
  Posts: 782
  You're making the mistake of trying to see logic in F1 rules.
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  Jun 8 2018 - 21:27
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  I know, but I am a sucker for logic, especially if its regarding a rule change that really will do nothing to promote entertainment OR safety.
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  Jun 8 2018 - 21:40
- ajpennypacker
  
  Posts: 2,475
  @Calle You dissapoint me, this one is actually a good change. They're saying that if a localized yellow flag in non-related sectors is activated, that DRS will remain enabled, thus promoting more overtaking. If the yellow flag is in a sector near the DRS then DRS is disabled. That's it.
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  Jun 9 2018 - 00:25
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  I cannot possible always be agreeing with you, my dear APJ. After all, so many other of my people, my dearly beloved children, need my attention and love every now and then. :P I can see the point in that, but the again it, as I say, fly right through the window by the fact that this really doesnt help the show in any significant way, and also doesnt really help security. All Im saying is that basically nothing has been done.
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  Jun 9 2018 - 01:14
- TimberVD
  
  Posts: 42
  To err is human. I didn't get it reading the first time either. :)
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  Jun 9 2018 - 12:43
Freguz

Posts: 160
Good idea! I think the DRS should be enabled all the time.
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- Jun 9 2018 - 09:16