Red Bull calls for DRS under yellows to be clarified
27 June, 2012
Jun.27 (GMM) World champions Red Bull have called for a clarification about how the DRS overtaking system can or cannot be used whilst yellow flags are being waved, in the aftermath of the European GP.
The stewards conducted a three-hour investigation after Mark Webber spotted Mercedes’ Michael Schumacher using his ‘DRS’ inside a yellow flag zone at Valencia late last Sunday.
Ultimately, the officials let Schumacher keep his first podium in more than 2000 days, Charlie Whiting arguing that “the decisive element” is not whether the DRS flap is open but “whether the driver has slowed or not”.
The FIA race director added that there is “no rule” specifically forbidding the use of DRS under yellows.
But Red Bull team boss Christian Horner told Austrian Servus TV: “There was a meeting where it was said that DRS and KERS may not be used under yellow flags.
“For this reason we told Mark not to enable DRS and so I was surprised that Michael did.”
Peter Sauber admitted: “From past experience we know that the FIA applies different standards from time to time.”
The Hamburger Morgenpost newspaper wondered if the fact that it was Schumacher’s first podium of his comeback, and the presence of his friend and FIA president Jean Todt, that influenced the stewards’ ruling.
Mika Salo, one of the stewards at Valencia, said: “I am not allowed to talk about our decision.”
Horner said: “I think it is important for the teams that we clarify the situation for Silverstone.”
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Related posts:
- Champs Vettel and Red Bull get their trophies
- British GP Qualifying: Red Bull report
- European GP: Red Bull report
- European GP: Red Bull qualifying report
- European GP: Day 1 Red Bull report
Kevin, the idea that the FIA favoured Schumacher is a joke. The stewards haven’t been Michael’s friend for a long time so anything about him getting special treatment over Hamilton or Vettel is ridiculous. In fact twice that weekend the stewards let Hamilton got away with things he did.
Charlie Whiting said so himself, there is no rule against using DRS under yellow flag conditions. The assumption if you activate KERS or DRS is that you’re going faster, however Michael’s lap was significantly slower than his previous ones. Webber went a lot faster than Schumacher that lap, so investigating Schumacher over Webber is in itself ridiculous. Red Bull are trying to get as many points as they can while simultaneously take the spotlight off their car which is constantly being investigated due to their pushing of the rules, which fair enough, is normal in F1.
oh come on stop insinuating conspiracy. we all know that wasn’t significant and regardless if the drs was used or not schumi still would have gotten 3rd place. race control should take note of it next time because it is their fault. schumi didn’t overtake anybody. that’s what the yellow flag is for. not saying that turn the goddam drs off in the first place.
The race was queer for several reasons: The safety car call with Vettel out front,yet the crew pushing his car off track did not have any protection – of even a yellow flag or SC – which was a bit frightening. The DRS under yellow in favor of Shumi, which we all know would not have been extended to Hamilton or Vettel. The fact that Alonso did not bring the car in after the finish, under a bogus excuse – obviously low fuel related – that would certainly not be tolerated by anyone else. Add to this a couple of strange penalty calls during and now after the race. Not exactly the cleanest of races on the part of the administrators…