The decision to reduce the length of the Drag Reduction System (DRS) zones for the upcoming Miami Grand Prix has recieved stern reactions from several F1 drivers.
The change was made in response to a lack of overtaking opportunities in recent events, which has drawn the ire of many drivers.
Of the three DRS zones that will be activated during the Miami Grand Prix, two have been shortened compared to last year’s event.
This move was made following the previous race in Azerbaijan, which was widely criticized for its lack of overtaking opportunities despite featuring one of the longest start-finish straights in the sport.
The FIA had already shortened the DRS zone in Baku, which followed modifications made at the Australian GP to add a fourth DRS zone.
However, drivers were not consulted for their opinions prior to these changes, according to Mercedes’ George Russell, who spoke out ahead of the Miami GP.
Russell speaking to RacingNews365.com said: “I think all of us didn’t really understand why they’ve been shortened. None of us were consulted about it or asked our opinion on it. I think the race speaks for itself in Baku.”
“DRS is there to aid overtaking, and it’s always exciting when you’ve got these big DRS advantages, and it gives you the opportunity to fight and clearly in Baku it was way too short.”
Leclerc’s comments align with other drivers who believe that shorter DRS zones would only exacerbate the current overtaking problems in Formula 1 races.
The drivers are calling for more opportunities to overtake, and a more balanced approach in terms of track design and DRS zone placement.
“I don’t think is the right direction. I think with the cars that we have at the moment it’s still quite difficult to follow. It is better than the previous generation cars, but still not good enough to actually have less DRS, so hopefully in the future races we won’t shorten them.”
Max Verstappen acknowledged that Red Bull has not faced as many overtaking issues this season as their car holds an advantage in performance when DRS is activated.
Nonetheless, he finished behind his teammate Sergio Perez in two of the first four races and blamed the problem on the current Formula 1 car generation.
“I think for us it’s a little bit different,” said Verstappen.
“Let’s say when you have to come through the field from the back, then it doesn’t really matter how long the zone is because you will get the car ahead. But when the pace is within one tenth, two tenths [of a second], like you could see in Baku, then I think once you’re in a bit of a DRS train then there’s no chance.
“Is the DRS zone too short, or are the cars not good enough to follow closely? I think it’s a bit of a combination of both. The cars are probably too heavy.
“They’re too stiff, so you can’t really run a kerb to try and find a bit of a different line because everyone is driving more or less the same line nowadays because of how the cars work and how stiff the suspension is.
“As people are finding more and more downforce in their cars, it probably becomes a bit harder to follow as well.”
