Tweaked DRS here to stay - Whiting

At least for now, the overtaking innovation ’DRS’ is here to stay.

"It will stay as long as it’s in the regulations," smiled the FIA’s Charlie Whiting in Melbourne, indicating it is a certainty for 2013 and 2014.

The concept debuted last year, replacing the driver-operated F-ducts with a standard rear wing flap that can be adjusted by chasing drivers in the midst of battle during grands prix.

Whiting said there are changes for 2012, to better balance the ease or difficulty of passing based on the experience of last year.

"For example, here (in Australia) there is a second zone, and in China and Belgium the zones will be shortened.

"Barcelona is lengthened by 50 metres and Canada there will be no second zone, same with Valencia," he is quoted by Brazil’s O Estado de S.Paulo.

"In Monza the zones will be longer, while for most of the other circuits we are satisfied."