GP2 DRS to operate the same way as F1

GP2's new Drag Reduction System will use the same zones and detection points as Formula 1's DRS when the grand prix-supporting series adopts the device this year.

This week's GP2 test in Abu Dhabi is the first chance for its teams to try DRS after extensive testing on the series' own development car over recent months. GP2 technical director Didier Perrin said the DRS was aligned as closely as possible with the F1 equivalent.

"The rules and the way we operate it is similar to F1," he said. "We will have the same DRS zones as the ones in F1.

"The detection line where we measure the gap between the cars will be in the same location and the criteria to allow a driver to use the DRS or not will be exactly the same as in F1. The main difference resides in the telemetry. In F1, the teams have at their disposal a very competitive telemetry system which sends and receives data from the car.

"Of course, that's not something that we have in GP2. Therefore, we had to develop a telemetry system which will be managed by EM Motorsport. It will enable them to localize the cars on track and send the DRS data to each of them during every session."

Perrin said the system had been simplified during the development tests, which included a total of 10 days of running at Bahrain Grand Prix venue Sakhir across two tests in December and February.

"Ever since we decided to add the DRS, our target was to produce one that would be similar to the one used in Formula 1 but that would be easy to operate and affordable for GP2," he said. "Little by little, we simplified the system: we started with something which was pretty complex but we ended up with a device that's pretty straightforward.

"That was important because the simpler it is, the easier it is to operate and to be reliable and efficient."

Originally on Autosport.com