I've noticed that in F1 2011, the only time I have DRS available is during practice sessions. I can never use DRS in my career races or in grand prix mode even after my crew chief tells me that "DRS is now available". Has anyone else encountered this problem?

I don't have 2011 yet, but could it be that the voice announcement is just coming after 2 laps, when it should become generally available?
You've got to be --literally-- within a second of the car you're overtaking and in certain zones of the track for it to function.

As previously stated, you have to be within 1 second of a car in front of you....any car, the one you battling for position with, a lapped car or a car lapping you.....when you hit the DRS detection zone.

As there's no split stopwatch for the detection zone, like for sector timings, you have to estimate what your distance is. You also have to know where the DRS activation and detection zones are. So far, the only track I've seen with an actual notification is the German GP, even though the CM forums says there's marker boards stating it at every track. Once you figure out where the actual activation zone, you can look before it for a white stripe across thet track to find out where the detection zone begins.

I use my installation lap to try to ID that.

Thanks for the info Raw and Steve.

Is there an indicator on the screen or wheel showing when it's available time-wise? I'm keen to try this out, just waiting for a good sale since I'm so bad with open wheels. LOL

Good thinking, Raw...forgot about that.

There's a green light on the wheel that's solidly lit when it's available....and blinks when it's active. I don't know if it's only lit when it's possible to activate it or not....will have to try that out and see.

Yes, it's just gray during the times you can't use it. It turns green when you can and blinks when on, as noted.

Unlike KERS I find it almost useless during a race (have yet to get it to activate), although fun in practice and qual. Remember kids, don't use DRS in a turn!



The Jedi Master

Yup, I learned that lesson the hard way!

First time I used it, I was wise enough to do it on a straight. However I developed tunnel vision staring happily at my speedometer. I hit the next wall. With around 330 kph. Still smiling.

If you're running a Career in one of the minnow teams.....Virgin, HRT, Lotus....it can be useless unless you're in the perfect position for it, namely passing another minnow or at a place like Hungary where T1 is a great out-braking place and the added speed can keep you within a workable distance of making a move.

It's biggest advantage is when it's used in conjunction with KERS, unfotunately the minnows don't have KERS.

Just thought I'd put this up for reference....not even sure if F1 2011 actually matches these or not.....haven't checked, but here are the official DRS zones for all the tracks that have been raced at so far this season. Monza, Montreal and India has/will have 2 zones, but there's only one zone per track in game. The circuits to come will also be posted at this link when they are released by the FIA.

DRS Zones for 2011

Codemasters guessed where the zones would be for tracks not run before release. In Singapore, they got it wrong, which I thought was pretty stupid. Do they even follow F1? Doubt it.

"Rumor"....probably more like wishful thinking....on a couple of forums says they will correct them in the next patch. I'm not going to hold my breath.

Ahmad, where's it at in Singapore in game? Haven't got there yet, was just wondering.

Seems to me they took a simple idea and made it as complex as they possibly could.



The Jedi Master

pit straight

Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't the FIA only confirm the Singapore DRS detection/activation zone about 5 days before the actual race took place meaning it may have been impossible for Codemasters to know as the game was released just before the race weekend.

Many people thought there were going to be 2 DRS zones after the changes they made last minute for the previous race at Monza.

That's pretty much the standard at all the races....4-5 days maximum before the actual race is when the DRS zone(s) is/are confirmed. They confirmed the zones for India on the 25th, race is on the 30th. Korea...confirmed 10/12, race 10/16. Suzuka...confirmed 10/6, race 10/9.

Hopefully, after the season's over they're correct the ones that are wrong in a patch...not holding my breath, though. I read on their forum a while back in a post from one of the CM staffers that they didn't expect to be able to do 2 zones per track, like some of the tracks had though. They were looking into a way of doing it, but hadn't been able to get it to work right so far supposedly.

We'll see what happens.

lolol



if ((time(car1) - time(car2)) <= 1000) { enable(drs); }