Felipe Massa has said that the use of the Drag Reduction System could make next weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix an interesting one.
The moveable rear wing device, new for this season, attracted criticism from some quarters after an apparently ineffectual debut in Melbourne last month.
But the Brazilian believes that depending on where exactly on track the FIA decide to let it be used, it could make for a good spectacle.
“With the moveable rear wing, the situation will be interesting here, because for the moment, the plan is to be allowed to use DRS during the race on the straight in front of the pits, but at Sepang, the straight that runs back the other way is actually longer,” said Massa on Ferrari’s website.
“It is also true that it would offer a higher chance of overtaking. So, we are waiting for the final decision from the FIA to see if we use DRS on the front straight, the back one or both,” he added.
Massa went on to say that he plumped for the system’s use on only one straight.
“The right decision could make the race more interesting for drivers and the spectators too. Personally, I am not sure that allowing DRS on both straights is the best option, because I think it might actually make overtaking too easy. You have to get the right balance between helping the chances of overtaking and having almost too much passing.
“At Sepang, the two straights follow one another, so if you are quicker than the car ahead, you might not even try and pass on the first straight, preferring to get well prepared and as close as possible, before then having a simple overtaking move on the second straight.”
