FIA Makes Last-Minute Another Change Ahead Of The Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Formula 1 fans can expect to change at the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix this year, as the FIA has decided to reduce the second DRS zone. The activation zone on Baku's main straight has been shortened by 100 meters, a move designed to make overtaking more challenging.
Changes to the DRS system have been made at four out of five F1 circuits, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Australia. The latest tweaks were made at the Baku City Circuit, with further adjustments planned for the upcoming Miami Grand Prix.
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Last year's Azerbaijan Grand Prix saw F1's new-for-2022 ground-effect cars make overtaking too easy on Baku's long straights. This prompted the FIA to take a fresh look at DRS placement and to make changes designed to strike the right balance between improving the show and ensuring that overtaking remains challenging.
The second of two DRS activation points, which was located 347 meters past Turn 20, has been moved back by 100 meters making the activation zone shorter. The detection point remains in the same spot at the Turn 20 apex, and the first DRS zone coming out of Turn 2 has not been changed.
Former F1 director Ross Brawn has been vocal about his desire to see the DRS system used more strategically, rather than as a way to overtake more easily. Speaking during the off-season, he explained to Autosport:
"The one thing we know is fans, and we know this because we don't like it, they don't like the 'go down the straight, pop the DRS, overtake, drive fast, pull a gap' all of that.
"In an ideal world DRS is used just to get on the back of someone, so you can really have a decent attack.
"I think we shouldn't be afraid to reduce the DRS in places like Monza, because it does seem a bit 'you get on the back of them, press the button, overtake.' It's a bit ritualistic, isn't it?
"And so we shouldn't be afraid to reduce the use of DRS where it's clearly proving to be too powerful."
On top of the changes to the DRS zone is the new sprint race format which will be taking place this weekend. The weekend will now consist of one free practice session on the Friday followed by the qualifying session for the grand prix on the Sunday. The Saturday will hold a sprint race shootout, a smaller version of the standard qualifying session which will determine the grid for the sprint race later that afternoon.