Welcome at RacingNews365

Become part of the largest racing community in the United Kingdom. Create your free account now!

  • Share your thoughts and opinions about F1
  • Win fantastic prizes
  • Get access to our premium content
  • Take advantage of more exclusive benefits
Sign in

Hill: DRS should be abolished for safety

The DRS system was introduced into F1 for the 2011 season in a bid to make it easier for drivers to overtake. Former driver Damon Hill thinks it poses a safety issue for the sport.

On several occasions during the Spanish Grand Prix, there were instances when drivers weaved slightly on the main straight into Turn 1 in a bid to head off an overtake from a car behind which was within DRS range. Carlos Sainz had to make a very late maneuverer to avoid clashing with his former teammate Lando Norris as he went for a move into the first corner during the race, and while he managed to complete the move, the defending from the McLaren driver was aggressive. Former F1 driver Damon Hill told the F1 Nation podcast that he thinks the issue comes down to the acceleration differences when the car behind has the DRS open, with the chasing car approaching for the pass at a much higher speed than the car in front. "Because of the acceleration due to the DRS being opened and then getting in the tow, the car behind is passing at a much higher rate and its nearly always just before the braking zone," he said. "We saw obviously a great move with Carlos Sainz who was approaching his old teammate and he kind of guessed what Lando was going to do. Lando classic late minute jink to the right to try and block of the right but Carlos had to quickly adjust himself. "A fraction of a second wrong and then that's anther car launched on top of another. And if you look at the Indy, racing at 200mph all the time, that is verboten. Last minute moves like that on a car going that fast is not what you do in Indianapolis, and these guys are going Indianapolis speeds now." Asked whether the system should be removed for safety reasons, Hill said that he was not a fan of DRS and would like to see alternatives measures introduced to aid overtaking. "I don't like DRS. I thought maybe at first it was a neat gadget to have it, but I have to say that I don't like it. I think what they need to do is increase braking distances."

x
LATEST Stroll defended by fellow driver over Ricciardo crash