Suggested

Clear Track vs Fighting

Currently we are in a position where 2 cars of similar speed fighting for position seem to be faster then even a slightly quicker car in clean air and clear track ahead of them alone because of the DRS leapfrog that occurs. 

That would make sense if the cars were team mates working together to catch a slightly quicker car, but outside of that, 2 cars fighting should generally be slightly slower then either of those cars with a clear track.

Two or more cars fighting for position should be slower then those same cars alone, DRS or not.

Thoughts

I don’t agree, what’s the point of having drs if you can’t gain anything with it, not even by working together.

And having no drs is a dumb down on race strats if you ask me

DRS does give you as advantage. It’s against the car you are fighting. The current DRS system works fine and seems to work the way intended. 

My point is 2 cars fighting for position should not be faster then a either car running alone. 

If your teammates it’s understandable because they should be working together and not really fighting for position, and that could be part of your strategy. It’s what I, and I am sure most, managers try to do.

I don’t understand, so teammates working together should get drs and overtake but it shouldn’t be faster then a car running alone? That’s what you are saying?


Or do you mean only when teammates work together they should get stronger drs?

I think the main point is here is that a faster car is unable to break away from slightly slower cars as the slower cars are able to keep themselves in contention through the DRS train. Or more specifically, reconnect even if the train is dropped.

For two cars in my experience it can be difficult to close a gap, but if it’s 3 cars with two passing in the DRS zone a train is usually quicker than a solo runner and will be able to hunt them down and reconnect given enough time.

One potential solution would be to revisit dirty air once again. (Although I say that with a hint of terror in my voice, ready to run away if anyone tries to bite me.)

Yes please, buff up dirty air ?

It doesn't work that way

Sergio, can you clarify?

What doesn’t work that way?

Micheal, exactly! And a slightly quicker car has no chance of catching DRS leapfroggers in front.

Antonio, if two cars are fighting for position, they should be slower then either car in clean air. The only time I can think of that where that would not be the case was a pair of teammates working together. But…even they should be fighting for position, so even that should be looked at. For sure 2 cars from competing teams should not be faster fighting for a position. 

But I think it’s more complicated then adding dirty air. I was watching a race at Singapore. 2 cars leap frogging worked something like this, lead car 1 runs a 1:46.00, following car 2 gets DRS, makes the pass and runs a 1:45.20. Next lap, car 2 runs a 1:46.00 and car 1 gets DRS and runs a 1:45.20. Over 2 laps each car averages 1:45.60. So if you had a car that was 3 tenths quicker then either of them, you are out of luck.
Dirty air would only affect the car behind, but in reality, the defending lead car would need to be slower because he is defending. I can’t think of any road racing where the lead car defending and the following car attacking is quicker then either car alone in almost every case. And, the harder the leader defends, the slower they both generally go. 

This is a complicated thing for sure.

I'm saying you forgot to clarify that two cars are not faster on all tracks than one in clean air