While F1’s new 2022 cars have proved easier to follow each other in battle, the reduced slipstream effect has put a greater emphasis on the benefits gained by DRS.
The length of some DRS zones, like in Saudi Arabia, has also led to a situation where overtakes are virtually guaranteed for the car behind, which makes it a no-brainer to pass that way without risk.
Vettel, who watched the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix from home after contracting COVID-19, thinks F1 needs to tread carefully when it comes to the reliance on DRS.
From its original introduction having been pushed as a way of giving drivers at least of chance of pulling off an overtake, Vettel is wary that F1 is now in a situation where it has become the only way for passes to happen.
Reflecting on the change to racing with the 2022 cars, Vettel said: “I think you can follow closer. But there is less drag effect as well and we do rely on the DRS probably more than in the past, to some extent.
“The interesting bit would be to take the DRS off and see how the racing really is, and if you are able to overtake a lot better than, let’s say, in the past.
“I’m only a bit cautious for the DRS, because it was brought in as an assistance to help overtaking, but now it feels a bit like it’s the only thing that allows you to overtake at times.”
Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Vettel believes that F1’s chiefs should ultimately target cars that do not need the DRS boost for overtakes to happen.
“Ideally, we have set of regulation that allows us to follow and race without DRS,” added Vettel. “DRS hasn’t been there for 70 years. It was brought in 10 years ago to help, as an experiment.
“I think an overtake should always be an effort and not dictated by you being in the zone and you get the DRS.
“The race in Jeddah, where you had the leaders braking for the DRS line to try and be the second one to cross that line, that’s a different type of racing. I don’t think…
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