Additional DRS Zones

With the announcement of an additional DRS zone at the Australian Grand Prix this weekend, Charlie Whiting has suggested that other tracks on the calendar could also increase the number of zones.

The new 3rd DRS zone in Melbourne will run from the exit of turn 12 towards turn 13. The detection point is 170 metres before turn 11. 

The other two DRS zones on the Albert Park circuit remain unchanged. 

FIA race director Charlie Whiting says: “We’re just trying to optimise or maximise what can be done with the DRS  

“This is not an ideal circuit for that as you know. The two DRS zones that we've had now are not particularly effective. We just thought there is an opportunity to do something on the stretch between turns 12 and 13. 

“If a driver can get a little closer than he otherwise may have done he may then get a detection at turn 14 which would allow him to use it on the two stretches.

“We will try and do something more effective at other tracks just to offer a little something else. 

“We will try and do something more effective at other tracks where there’s more opportunity to do that.”

Sergio Perez wasn’t impressed about the announcement. 

Perez said: “Where they put the DRS makes no difference. You’re coming out of a high-speed section so I don’t think it's going to make any difference.”

Despite this, Perez’s teammate Esteban Ocon says: “For sure it won’t be a bad thing. It’s hard to overtake here. 

“I think the only overtake last year was Checo and me, so it not a bad thing. It will get us closer after the last corner, it can make us have more chance to overtake after the long straight.”