FIA bans DRS for Monaco tunnel and Eau Rouge

The overtaking ’DRS’ system will be banned completely in the Monaco tunnel and Spa-Francorchamps’ fearsome Eau Rouge.

But the FIA is pushing ahead with allowing the wings to be used on the curving front ’straight’ in the Principality next weekend, despite the opposition of GPDA chairman Rubens Barrichello and many fellow drivers.

"All the drivers except Michael Schumacher think it is too dangerous in Monaco," the Brazilian is quoted as saying by Auto Motor und Sport. "Maybe Michael thinks he has a technical advantage."

In fact, Lewis Hamilton is also looking forward to using DRS on the famous barrier-lined streets.

"If you don’t want to use it you don’t have to," said the Briton.

The FIA’s Charlie Whiting is unapologetic for allowing DRS in Monaco.

"It would be wrong to ban an overtaking aid at a circuit where it could be most useful," he is quoted as saying in Barcelona.

In the tunnel, however, it will be banned altogether on safety grounds, and the same will apply at Belgium’s Eau Rouge.

The in-race Monaco DRS zone will be across the finish line, but Sebastian Vettel thinks there is "not enough space" for overtaking moves there.

"There will be some overtaking in Monte Carlo," thinks Hamilton, "but not much."

But in Canada and Valencia, the FIA is planning not one but two DRS zones apiece for those circuits.