F1 News

Three consecutive DRS zones in Saudi Arabia: useful or not?

Three consecutive DRS zones in Saudi Arabia: useful or not?

28-11-2021 19:56 Last update: 20:21
16

GPblog.com

In a week from now the title fight in Formula 1 will continue in Saudi Arabia. A new circuit, where enormous top speeds will be reached. According to many F1 followers Mercedes has the advantage on this track. But it is all a matter of guessing, because nobody knows what the track is really like.

Lots of bends?

On paper there are 27 corners on the street circuit of Jeddah. It has now been announced that the drivers will be confronted with no less than three DRS zones next week, all situated in the second half of the lap.

The first DRS detection zone is between corners 17 and 18, which are very close together. The rear wing does not open until turn twenty and up to turn twenty-two. At turn twenty-two there is the second detection zone, before the extra power is available at turn twenty-five. The final detection zone is at turn 27, allowing the rear wing to open again on the long straight before the start-finish line.

Making Up Ground

With DRS zones following each other so quickly, it is possible that an elongated DRS train is created. On the other hand, a driver on the attack may be able to make up a lot of ground in a relatively short period of time. DRS 1 to get close, DRS 2 to stay close to the car in front and DRS 3 to actually overtake. Practice will tell next week what it will be.