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FIA says no plans to extend F1 DRS zones in 2017
The FIA has told Formula 1 teams that it has no plans to extend DRS zones this season, following an analysis into overtaking at the first races of the 2017 campaign.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Apr 30, 2017, 11:17 AM
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Motor racing's governing body announced at the Australian Grand Prix that, amid concerns about the impact new regulations would have on racing, it would look into whether or not there was a need to change DRS zones.
F1 race director Charlie Whiting said in Melbourne: "It's a little difficult in testing to fully assess the DRS.
"We've had some information, of course. We don't see any significant difference at the moment, that's why we feel that we should assess it over the first two races.
"As it happens here in Melbourne you can't go any longer – it's not long enough for our needs.
"This is why a couple of years ago we introduced a second activation zone based on one detection point – in other words to try and get the cars closer to car in front on the first bit, and then do something better in the second bit.
"It seems to have worked reasonably well, but we can't actually make it any longer here anyway. We'll assess it after the second race."
Although overtaking has proved harder this year thanks to the increased downforce and shorter braking zones, the FIA believes that it is not so difficult that action needs to be taken.
An FIA spokesman confirmed that Whiting told teams at the recent Technical Regulations Meeting (TRM) that the governing body would not be changing DRS zones.
However, the FIA will continue to regularly monitor the situation and, if overtaking proves too difficult, then action could be taken at some point in the future.
Williams technical chief Paddy Lowe said: "There was a discussion about it at TRM. There was a review and they [the FIA] said they were happy with what they have got."
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