Breaking news
Formula 1 Spanish GP
FIA extends main DRS zone for Spanish GP
The FIA has extended the main DRS zone at the Circuit de Catalunya in a bid to help overtaking at the Spanish Grand Prix.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: May 14, 2017, 11:50 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The wider and faster 2017 cars have resulted in a drop in the number of passing moves this season, with cars struggling to follow each other closely and braking zones becoming shorter.
After analysis of the first two races in Australia and China, it was believed that there was no need to change the DRS zones for this year.
But a fortnight on from a Russian Grand Prix that resulted in very few overtaking moves, the idea of extending the DRS zone came up in Friday night's drivers' briefing.
With the Spanish Grand Prix being particularly tricky for passing, because there is a high-speed corner leading on to the main straight, it was agreed that there were grounds for a change to take place.
Following those discussions and support of the idea from the drivers, the FIA approved a plan to lengthen the zone on the main start-finish straight in Spain by 100 metres.
The original activation point had come into play 157 metres after the final corner. On Saturday morning, however, teams were informed that the new zone would begin 57 metres after the last turn.
Real overtaking
Although drivers suggested the change of the DRS zone for Spain, there remains an ongoing debate about whether the overtaking aid is the answer to F1's problems.
World championship leader Sebastian Vettel said ahead of the weekend that he felt overtaking should ultimately remain tricky.
“I don’t think I am in favour of increasing the DRS zones," he said. "A couple of years ago, when we introduced it, it was just way too easy - although it was great when you were behind as you could sail past but that was not the idea of an overtake.”
He added: “Historically here with the last corner, it makes it difficult to get very close for the straightline.
"Personally, of course, I would love to be closer and then try to do something, but again it is also a challenge and you need to not just arrive and drive past or have some tool that puts you side by side. You have to work for it, try different lines and different things.”
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Gallery: Key F1 tech spy shots at the Spanish GP
Next article Spanish GP: Raikkonen heads Ferrari 1-2 in final practice
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Latest news
Ducati: Aprilia got “unlucky” in Australian GP, can win every race from now
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
1 h
Ducati: Aprilia got “unlucky” in Australian GP, can win every race from now
Why Monza win from 19th still isn't the best of Kimi Antonelli's dominant F1 2026 season
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
2 h
Why Monza win from 19th still isn't the best of Kimi Antonelli's dominant F1 2026 season
What happened to Austin Hill at the end of Talladega NASCAR Cup race?
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
2 h
What happened to Austin Hill at the end of Talladega NASCAR Cup race?
Sesks tight-lipped on WRC future after ERC season finale triumph
WRC
WRC WRC 3 h
Sesks tight-lipped on WRC future after ERC season finale triumph
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe