The FIA has agreed with the views of the majority of F1 drivers and decided not allow DRS to be operable in the Monaco tunnel.
Charlie Whiting wrote to the teams today confirming the decision, and also forwarded a copy to the Grand Prix Drivers Association.
Although the race DRS zone is on the pit straight, drivers would have been able to use it in practice and qualifying through the tunnel and on the run down to the chicane.
The feeling among the drivers was that there were too many risks involved given the high speed and very tight nature of that part of the track, and that the teams would inevitably pressure them to push the limits of DRS usage.
The matter was discussed in Friday’s drivers’ meeting in Barcelona – where they again said that they didn’t want to use it all in Monaco – and Whiting told them that he would give it further consideration.
The FIA was swayed by the fact that there have been instances this season of drivers ‘getting out of synch’ on a busy lap and having the wing open when they thought it was closed. While that hasn’t much of an issue on the traditional tracks we’ve been to up until now, it was thought that the margins in the tunnel were too small to take any risks.
The FIA had originally argued that it would simply be up to the drivers to judge when to use it, as they have done at every other track this year.
That viewpoint was shared by Renault team boss Eric Boullier: “My own view is that the drivers will build up their confidence gradually during free practise and by the time qualifying arrives they will know in how much of the tunnel they can safely use the DRS wing.
“Often in the past the tunnel has been very tricky to take flat out at the start of the race weekend when the track is poor. This has not caused the drivers to crash, they have simply built up their pace gradually until they were confident that it could be taken flat – I think the same approach will emerge with the DRS.”
Adam Cooper F1 
These are supposed to be the best 24 racing drivers in the world. Are they so stupid and controlled by their teams that they can’t individually make a decision on whether it is safe or not to drive in a certain way. The idea that they would do something unsafe because the team tells them or because a competitor has done it is ridiculous…..And if they do, then they do not deserve to be in control of such a lethal weapon.
No one has ever driven in an unsafe manner on purpose. Except…Schumacher, Senna, Prost…what is that, 14 World Championships? Did they deserve to be in control of such lethal weapons?
Mick,
It was the Drive’s decision not to be able to use the DRS in the Tunnel.
“The FIA has agreed with the views of the majority of F1 drivers and decided not allow DRS to be operable in the Monaco tunnel.”
And…
“The feeling among the drivers was that there were too many risks involved given the high speed and very tight nature of that part of the track, and that the teams would inevitably pressure them to push the limits of DRS usage.”
Sometimes, everyone knows that the weapon they are carrying is not suited for the task that they have to uphold.
I do not believe that he front strait is long enough to use the DRS system.
When you bolt out of the Tunnel, then down hill to the tight left and right, if you have too much speed, you blow by it, and you loose.
The Drivers and the Owners are correct. This entire track is way too tight for DRS to work.
Unless you want a shot at it… with the DRS…
Let me see it…
My point is that if the drivers feel it is unsafe just don’t push the button. They want the decision taken out of their hands when that isn’t necessary. They are not Lemmings following each other over the cliff.
I dont know the exact quote, but its on the trailer; Senna said that he would no longer be a racing driver if he no longer went for the gap. Drivers push whenever possible (even if at times not as logical). This “push” depends on many factors (experience, character, gut), but all added up; chances are: they might end up in the barriers.
Last year, without the KERS, DRS and with more grip (using double diffusers) a lot of drivers ended in the walls. Hulkenberg even left stains inside the tunnel (I think Mr. Cooper got a pretty picture of it). Alonso destroyed his chassis during practice, and many others I cant remember.
I think these extra limitations are just there to limit the chances of a catastrophe in a race. After all, there is no point in increasing the safety tests in chassis or even helmets, if you allow drivers to (even if accidentally) plough into a concrete wall.
Schumacher had a moment in the tunnel in 2004, Monaco will jump up and bite the best of them.
Mick,
However you know that some of the Drivers will push the button if it was available to them.
And that could cause some very severe accidents along the way.
This particular understanding, not to use the DRS, is a good thing among all the Drivers.
I really think that the entire course should not have the ability to use the DRS.
Those that think they are better then death, will have their day, another day.
However, not in Monaco.
Rafael,
Agreed…
Yeah, more rules!
Meh. Leave it on, always the same. Car setup dictates it. Off here, on there just adds to how contrived it is.
Tomorrow I expect an announcement they will be replacing that DRS section, with a sprinkler pumping water out of the swimming pool. Let shumi park in the rain.
Glad the FiA listened to the drivers, using DRS in the tunnel had the potential for some very dangerous moments. Monaco is a narrow, (relatively) low speed high downforce track, with little to no runoff areas DRS won’t be needed all that much. They probably could do well enough without it altogether at Monaco-and perhaps KERS as well. Makes me want to say thank God Monaco is still on the schedule, and that Bernie hasn’t been able to kill her off.
“The FIA was swayed by the fact that there have been instances this season of drivers ‘getting out of synch’ on a busy lap and having the wing open when they thought it was closed.”
That makes no sense. The drivers have to press a button to open the flap and brake to close it. Unless it malfunctions, as it did on Alonso’s car recently, the drivers will be perfectly aware whether it is open or closed.
That would be true in the race defined DRS zone, but in practice & quali where they can use DRS at will they both open & close the flap with a button / lever so the confusion might arise.
Good move by the FIA. DRS won’t really have much impact in the tunnel at Monaco because the ‘straight’ is so short. I can’t see DRS working very well in any section of the track. This doesn’t mean we’ll not see overtaking though as was proven in earlier races (especially Spain & Turkey) the overtakes happen out of slower speed corners onto some kind of straight, and are primarily possible thanks to superior traction of new rubber and KERS. Thus I predict we’ll see overtakes on the pit straight, before the tunnel (completing as they go into it) and on the stretch prior to the swimming pool.
It’ll be very interesting to see how the cars perform on softer rubber as well, given that RBR seem to be harder on tyres than McLaren who seem to be harded on tyres than Ferrari. I still think track position will be king at this race, so expect some early stops to attempt undercutting the leaders.
I’m wondering how the contra-overtaking caused by tyre performance drop-off will affect the race.
The reports of the DRS zone for the race say it can be activated after Anthony Noghes, but not where it de-activates.
I know it would normally de-activate when the brakes are used for St. Devote, but what if the driver didn’t brake for St. Devote and relied on engine braking and drag instead? Could DRS remain activated all the way up to Casino Square?