DRS and driving

[raymondu999]

Hey guys. I just had a thought.

Last year; it was reported that later braking, quick rotation, and early on the power (kind of a late apex line) was fastest through a corner; with a blown diffuser with no overrun mapping; as this maximised time on-throttle and hence maximised the time that the exhaust gases would give extra rear downforce; ie rear traction/stability. I was thinking about this; with no overrun mapping; a blown diffuser's benefits are best felt when hard on the throttle; and the harder on the throttle you press; the more gases exit and the more downforce you would help to generate at the rear.

and wouldn't DRS have the same effect? In qualy at least. I mean; it helps on straight lines; and not in corners. Wouldn't then; you be tempted to maximise the time you go straight? Or at least go with minimal steering angle? But I don't think we've really heard anyone comment on anyone specifically changing their driving styles because of DRS.

[TURU]

It is still about being early on the throttle. The earlier you are stable and on the throttle out of the corner, the earlier you can enable DRS. It's all about traction, not keeping your wheels straight IMO.

[tommylommykins]

I agree. The DRS is most useful at high speeds where there is lots of drag. The situation where you're just coming out of a corner is probably a situation where you're not going near your top speed, and hence the time gains from using the DRS just a little bit earlier won't be more than the time loss from having less downforce at the back.

I think the blown diffusers are a bit different. I think they give strong benefit as soon as you get on the throttle. With the DRS, this is not the case.

[raymondu999]

While that is true; activating DRS earlier has the knock on effect of shedding a teensy weensy bit of drag at the start; and that will get you that hundredth quicker still.

[marekk]

No change to optimal racing line IMO.
But it could be wise to disengage DRS and break a bit earlier than optimal just to save the tyres - they degrade so quickly, that just few hard breakings could possibly negatively influence the rest of the lap.