OT: Racing 2011 (Spoiler Alert)

[Smurfy]

DRS and KERS worked a bit too well in Turkey. As Martin Brundle pointed out, the cars are supposed to be side-by-side going into the braking zone, not blowing past each other.

Did they, though? More so than in Malaysia, China or particularly Australia, the Turkish Grand Prix featured a DRS zone immediately after a key corner exit where traction is everything. I saw passes being completed into turn 11, the flat right hand kink in what I'd still call the back straight. The DRS zone only began on the entry to that turn.

I'm about to write more on the same topic at the usual place, mainly because I can't do the race recap I usually write on account of not being able to keep track of all the overtaking. I shan't bore you too much here, but it seemed as though what we saw was the effects of DRS and KERS being exacerbated by the differences in strategy and tyre wear. The way the rear Pirellis dropped off, there were cars in the race that would have been sitting ducks if the bloke behind had no DRS available too.

We know that under the current car platform, we can't have a rules package that creates the racing we're after without some kind of artificial aid. Technology is effectively fighting against its own advance, and it's creating situations where Button and Hamilton can be at each other's throats for laps at a time while Massa, Schumacher and Alguersuari go three-wide through the final complex. For me, that far outweighs the negatives of the occasional overly simple pass.

Yeah, you are right. There were quite a number of sitting ducks even before they reached the DRS zone. The chicane followed by the back straight seems to be the best of all the new circuit designs. Couple that with the new tires and it makes sense.

[pk500]

I thought about this question when I listened to the most recent Motor Sport podcast driving home from the track the other day: Where will the DRS zone be located at Monaco?

I can't see using the start-finish line straight. Using DRS in the tunnel might be too unsafe, and I can't think of any straight long enough from the tunnel exit to Rascasse. Where else could it be except for the run up the hill from Sainte-Devote toward Casino Square?

[Rodster]

DRS Zone?! If it were me i'd take their wings away and make them all race on Goodyear radials.

[GB_Simo]

I thought about this question when I listened to the most recent Motor Sport podcast driving home from the track the other day: Where will the DRS zone be located at Monaco?

I can't see using the start-finish line straight. Using DRS in the tunnel might be too unsafe, and I can't think of any straight long enough from the tunnel exit to Rascasse. Where else could it be except for the run up the hill from Sainte-Devote toward Casino Square?

Haven't listened to the Motor Sport podcast so I don't know if they addressed this, but there's a lot of elevation change from Sainte-Devote up to Massenet, with the track only levelling off just as you're thinking about getting on the brakes. Are there any concerns over shutting the DRS just as you come over the brow of the hill?

If not there, the start-finish straight is probably the only place you could use. The tunnel is a fairly substantial corner even with full rear downforce in place, while Casino Square-Mirabeau and Chicane-Tabac just aren't long enough to make it worthwhile.

[pk500]

Think maybe the FIA will scrap DRS for Monaco? You're right: The start-finish line probably is the only place it can be used.

But that could set up a Monaco version of the Gethin-Peterson finish from Monza in 1971, even if artificially induced.

[GB_Simo]

They're saying they won't, despite pressure from some of the drivers. How long that'll last, I don't know, but if they're planning to leave DRS available, you know they'll all be going through the tunnel with it wide-open in Q1. Could be interesting, if it's anything like as much of a safety issue as some are suggesting.

But that could set up a Monaco version of the Gethin-Peterson finish from Monza in 1971, even if artificially induced.

I was thinking about that the other day, as part of a blog post I still haven't got around to writing. If they manage DRS properly, the last few laps at Monza - in fact, perhaps even the last few laps somewhere like Montreal, which tends to breed close racing down the field - could be epic.

[Gurantsu]

DRS Zone?! If it were me i'd take their wings away and make them all race on Goodyear radials.

NOW yer talkin'! Lets pull James Garner and Yves Montand out of retirement and let 'em have at it!

[pk500]

Bobby Unser spent about four hours today in the IMS media center, chewing the fat with writers. I got a chance to talk with him for a minute or two. He's still sharp as hell and hilarious.

Uncle Bobby has said he would love it if wings were small enough to prevent drivers from going flat through the corners at IMS. He thinks the requirement of braking -- or at least lifting -- into the corners would separate the tykes from the geniuses.

Bobby is right -- as usual!

Parnelli Jones was here over the weekend, too. He's STILL an ass-kicker. Told me that he did 60 push-ups in his hotel room to start his day Friday morning -- at age 77!

[Rodster]

DRS Zone?! If it were me i'd take their wings away and make them all race on Goodyear radials.

NOW yer talkin'! Lets pull James Garner and Yves Montand out of retirement and let 'em have at it!

[Dave]

Bobby Unser spent about four hours today in the IMS media center, chewing the fat with writers. I got a chance to talk with him for a minute or two. He's still sharp as hell and hilarious.

Uncle Bobby has said he would love it if wings were small enough to prevent drivers from going flat through the corners at IMS. He thinks the requirement of braking -- or at least lifting -- into the corners would separate the tykes from the geniuses.

Bobby is right -- as usual!

Parnelli Jones was here over the weekend, too. He's STILL an ass-kicker. Told me that he did 60 push-ups in his hotel room to start his day Friday morning -- at age 77!

You lucky SOB! I miss the Bobby/Posey combo, they were great together.

Man, wish I could swing a quick trip to Indy for quals this weekend. Both days should be great--so much value to get locked in the first 24. There are going to be a bunch of solid entries fighting over the last 9 spots on Sunday.

[Smurfy]

I was thinking about that the other day, as part of a blog post I still haven't got around to writing. If they manage DRS properly, the last few laps at Monza - in fact, perhaps even the last few laps somewhere like Montreal, which tends to breed close racing down the field - could be epic.

I was thinking of going back to Montreal to watch a GP for one last time in 2012. Thinking is now turning to planning.

What about Monza? Keeping within 1s going into the Parabolica and coming out with the wing open sounds like fun

[pk500]

What about Monza? Keeping within 1s going into the Parabolica and coming out with the wing open sounds like fun

Absolutely! I'm already drooling.

[DChaps]

Bobby Unser spent about four hours today in the IMS media center, chewing the fat with writers. I got a chance to talk with him for a minute or two. He's still sharp as hell and hilarious.

Uncle Bobby has said he would love it if wings were small enough to prevent drivers from going flat through the corners at IMS. He thinks the requirement of braking -- or at least lifting -- into the corners would separate the tykes from the geniuses.

Bobby is right -- as usual!

Parnelli Jones was here over the weekend, too. He's STILL an ass-kicker. Told me that he did 60 push-ups in his hotel room to start his day Friday morning -- at age 77!

I am so jealous. Thanks for sharing. I also loved the Bobby/Posey broadcast team. Bobby won the first 500 I attended as a kid in 1975. I was pulling for Wally Dallenbach that day, but it was not to be. During the rainstorm that ended the race, my Dad, Uncle and I camped out at the Church's Chicken where I ate so much that I ended up sick and throwing up on the way home. We get to my Grandma's house later that night and what does she have prepared for dinner? - fried chicken. Good memories. I found the old Sports Illustrated article that covered the 1975 Indy 500. Pretty fun read looking back. Check out the article here:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/ ... /index.htm

I definitely have Indy 500 May fever now.

[Rodster]

FIA in blown diffuser clampdown http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/91475

Should make the Spanish GP very interesting and the article seems to think it was McLaren behind the push for this change in the rules as to slowdown the Red Bulls although this year 90% of the teams are using it.

[GB_Simo]

If they manage DRS properly, the last few laps at Monza...

What about Monza? Keeping within 1s going into the Parabolica and coming out with the wing open sounds like fun

Yes, sure, I agree, but what about Monza?

It's all about where they put the DRS zone, and I suppose the argument will be that the exit of Parabolica is actually way too early to start using it, but that's exactly what I had in mind. Maybe have it on the run from Ascari to Parabolica, just to liven the last lap up a bit.

FIA in blown diffuser clampdown http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/91475

Should make the Spanish GP very interesting and the article seems to think it was McLaren behind the push for this change in the rules as to slowdown the Red Bulls although this year 90% of the teams are using it.

Already shelved, my man. See here for details.

[GB_Simo]

DRS Zone?! If it were me i'd take their wings away and make them all race on Goodyear radials.

NOW yer talkin'! Lets pull James Garner and Yves Montand out of retirement and let 'em have at it!

On my count, OK? 1, 2, 3: "JEAN-PIERRE!"

[Smurfy]

I should learn to read.

All those 'M's got me confused.

[GB_Simo]

Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, Grant Sharp's doctor experiences an unexpected upturn in business.

[Rodster]

Kimi is having a rough night at Charlotte. He scrapped the wall and is down to 34th after starting 31st.

[Smurfy]

Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, Grant Sharp's doctor experiences an unexpected upturn in business.

Sorry Grant, but this guarantees my return to grandstand 11 next year.

[pk500]

Kimi is having a rough night at Charlotte. He scrapped the wall and is down to 34th after starting 31st.

His afternoon practice laps were frightening. Wiggling more than Charo.

This could be a very short NASCAR experiment for The Kimster.

[Rodster]

LOL, Kimi is now in 7th.

Go Kimi Go !

[GB_Simo]

LOL, Kimi is now in 7th.

Go Kimi Go !

Don't think he pitted during the Hornaday caution, did he? Either way, I feel like I should be watching from behind the couch. I shouldn't imagine fear is a concept Kimi fully grasps, no matter how many shades of loose that truck gets, so I'll feel some on his behalf.

[Rodster]

We probably won't know if Kimi had any fun but he had a solid race and finished 15th. Avoided a lot of incidents raced three wide and most of the race he was hovering around 15th. The announcers for Speed TV gave him an A+ score for his first time out.

[Gurantsu]

Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, Grant Sharp's doctor experiences an unexpected upturn in business.

Laugh it up, but the F1 steering wheel bears a striking resemblance to my Xbox controller! Or a 747 cockpit...

Still, it will be cool to see the guys in Canada get TWO power-ups per lap!