Even with the fact that DRS is now a part of the new “DTM-Era,” the use of it was prohibited at Circuit Park Zandvoort at the penultimate round last season, and the teams had to revert all the cars to using the standard wing supports (EB-028) for the entire weekend.
However, following discussions between the DMSB and the DTMDA, it was decided that the system would be used this time around.
But during the race, Daniel Juncadella, Robert Wickens, Augusto Farfus, Bruno Spengler, Mike Rockenfeller, Edoardo Mortara and Timo Scheider were all issued with a warning for the incorrect use of the system during the race.
As per the regulations in Formula One, if there is a Safety Car period, none of the drivers can use DRS for three laps after the racing gets back underway. In this instance, the computer system that is in place to restrict the use of the adjustable rear wings was faulty, which prompted Race Control to act in the only manner at the time.
But it begs to ask the question as to whether the issue could have been addressed a lot better whilst the race was ongoing. If these faults were happening all the time, a system shutdown would be the only possible solution to a problem that could have also been avoided by not using it in the first place.
I agree with the fact that Zandvoort is a fantastic track, and the race was exciting without DRS last year when “Rocky” won the title. But around such a circuit, a driver will want to be on the limit, but it doesn’t forgive easily when mistakes are made. The race was exciting and controversial, with drama and action up and down the field.
But is DRS necessarily needed in a series that is very close in terms of qualifying, as well as the different strategies that are employed by the teams? The jury may still be out on that one.
