2024 F1 Azerbaijan GP: FIA changes DRS zone in Baku, how will it affect overtaking?
09/12/2024 05:13 AM
Seeking overtakes
For the second weekend in a row, the FIA has decided to extend a circuit's DRS zone to try and encourage more overtakes in Formula 1. After Monza saw the DRS activation area lengthened by 103 meters on the main straight, a similar change will take place this weekend in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the Baku circuit.
The DRS zone on the Azerbaijan track has been extended by exactly 100 meters: this year, drivers will be able to activate the rear wing 347 meters after exiting the final corner, turn 20. Last year, the activation point was set 447 meters after exiting the corner. This adjustment will enhance the DRS effect, allowing it to be used over a greater distance. However, teams will also need to adjust their power management strategies to account for this extension.
A step back
This adjustment is actually a return to the past: last season, the federation experimented with reducing the length of the drag reduction system zones at several circuits, including the street track in Azerbaijan's capital. The same happened this year at tracks like the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona and Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps, but the results of these changes were not well received by the drivers, who complained of excessive difficulty in overtaking. This feedback led to the decision to revert the changes.
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