Mercedes GP team principal Ross Brawn has called for a re-evaluation of Formula One's new DRS wings at the end of the season, suggesting that the overtaking devices might be unnecessary as part of plans to spice up the racing.
DRS wings were introduced to Formula One at the start of the 2011 season, as part of a series of changes designed to make the racing more exciting.
The drag-reducing wings are designed for drivers to use in a set 'overtaking zone' on the track, when they are within a second of the car in front.
The main purpose of the DRS was to help drivers break through the 'dirty air' behind a car in front, and allow them a chance to overtake.
But the DRS has come in for criticism at some circuits, with the boost from the wings appearing to make overtaking too easy, with cars completing passes well before the braking zone.
And Brawn has suggested that, with the new heavily-degrading Pirelli tyres also mixing up the race order, the DRS wings may not be necessary.
"It has been hard to judge its value because the DRS influence is not as big as the tyre," Brawn was quoted as saying by Autosport on Wednesday.
He explained: "I think tyres have been a major element. DRS, as far as we are concerned, was introduced to stop the racing being processional and it hasn't been because of the tyres.
"So I think at the end of the season with the FIA we should take a step back, look at where it hurt, look at where it helped, and see what we gained, and see if it has achieved all of its objectives."
He also suggested that the input of fans should be sought to ascertain whether the DRS-based passing is actually providing any excitement.
"We had a couple of races this year where we wished there had been no DRS because we lost places. Montreal was a good example," Brawn muttered, referring to the way that Michael Schumacher lost places late on in that race.
He added: "It is frustrating but we need to understand from the fans if they feel that overtaking with DRS is exciting to watch or not, or whether they preferred for overtaking to be more difficult, so we work around the tyres and other factors.
"So I think if we had kept the consistency of the Bridgestone tyres, which were very consistent in the past, then the DRS definitely would have been a very important requirement.
"It has been less critical [in 2011] because of the tyres."
The DRS wings will get another run-out at the Korean GP this weekend, with the FIA confirming that the 'DRS zone' for the race would be down the long back straight to turn three.
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