Imola's only DRS zone extended for upcoming race

After three long, boring weeks the Formula 1 circus is about to break loose again. After the opening race at the Sakhir circuit of Bahrain, the second race of the season will be held at Imola for the GP of Emilia Romagna.

After a fourteen-year absence, the legendary circuit of Imola returned to the calendar last year, although this was primarily an emergency move after COVID caused many countries to cancel their races.

Compared to the 2006 race, some changes were already made for last season. The Variante Bassa chicane was removed, creating a full track from the exit of the second left Rivazza corner to Tamburello. This was also the part of the track where the DRS zone was located.

Last year, we could find the DRS detection after the exit of Rivazza 2, while the activation point was on the control line. For 2021, the detection point has been moved to 20 metres before Rivazza 1, while the new activation point has been placed 60 metres before the kink in Turn 19. Whether this change will make overtaking easier on a track that, especially with the current F1 cars, is labelled as a circuit where overtaking is difficult, we will see this weekend.