Trulli trusts FIA on Monaco DRS call

AUTOSPORT revealed last week that Formula 1's governing body is considering not allowing drivers to use DRS at Monaco because of safety concerns.

As well as there being minimal benefit from the moveable wing on the street circuit, drivers have expressed worries that it could be dangerous if they are forced to use it for a speed boost on tricky parts of the circuit - like through the famous Tunnel.

The FIA is due to discuss the matter with teams and drivers at next week's Turkish Grand Prix, with a final decision due to be made after the Istanbul weekend.

Trulli says he is comfortable that FIA race director Charlie Whiting fully understands the reservations that a number of drivers have expressed, and thinks that he will make the right call.

"We have discussed about the DRS," Trulli told AUTOSPORT. "At the moment the discussion with the FIA is very, very good. Charlie has been listening to us.

"We give Charlie our opinions because we drive the car, and he understands what our concerns are. Sometimes it is mainly on the safety side, and doesn't affect the new rules. We say what we think and then we say it is up to him. He takes our opinions.

"We are meeting nearly every race, apart from the normal briefing, to discuss about DRS and discuss about other things, and it is extremely positive I would say. The FIA has been doing a great job."

Trulli believes that as well as potential safety problems from drivers risking using the DRS on dangerous parts of the track to gain lap time, there was also a problem in the use of it leaving drivers with too much to do in the cockpit at such a difficult venue.

"At Monaco, to run with it is pointless," he said. "You won't use it for much of the straights, they are too short, and it will mean you will be spending too much time concentrating on the buttons - and that means you don't have enough room or time to think about other things.

"It is not a benefit and won't help you at all for overtaking, so I don't think there is any point to run it. This is my personal opinion - it is shared by other drivers, but it is not down to us to decide if we run it or not."

When asked if he felt there would be a gamble in trying to use it through the Tunnel, Trulli said: "Yes. Definitely, yes. You won't go through flat, so it is too much of a gamble. That is why I would prefer to not use it."