May 24 (GMM) The FIA has banned drivers from using the 'DRS' overtaking wing in the Monaco tunnel this weekend.

The in-race overtaking zone spans just 300 metres on the start-finish straight, but the rear wing system can be used by drivers anywhere else on the twisty street circuit in practice and qualifying.

On safety grounds, however, the first exception of the season has been applied for the famous tunnel, which is technically not a straight but a fast right-hand bend.

The ban was confirmed by Charlie Whiting in a letter to Grand Prix Drivers' Association members, according to the Telegraph.

"We were made aware of drivers' concerns about using it and I've spoken to the drivers a few times about it, and it was quite clear the majority of them would prefer to not use it in Monaco," he told reporters last weekend in Spain.

Not everyone agrees with the drivers, however, including Renault team boss Eric Boullier.

"The driver has to judge where he can safely activate the DRS," said the Frenchman.

But former driver David Coulthard thinks the GPDA and the FIA are right in this case.

"That (a ban) seems like a sensible compromise. With the marbles that these tyres are producing, to venture off the racing line in that confined space could prove catastrophic.

"Better not to have the temptation," the 13-time grand prix wrote in his column for the Telegraph.

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version