A DRS zone moved to Jeddah
In an official statement, the FIA has relocated the third DRS zone of the Jeddah Circuit. This measure aims to prevent the incidents from last year and two years ago.
It’s a note that has almost gone unnoticed. As with every Grand Prix, the FIA publishes a note regarding the track map. This time, however, there is a significant modification.
Indeed, the last DRS detection zone has been moved. Previously located before the 27th and final turn, this zone is now placed 170 meters after the final turn, at the beginning of the main straight. This measure is taken by the FIA to no longer see drivers intentionally avoiding crossing this detection line in order to benefit from the DRS on the main straight. This practice was observed in 2021 between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, on the verge of a crash. Or more recently, last year, between Leclerc and Verstappen, to the point of wheel locking.
This change comes as the governing body had earlier announced this year the modification of the DRS zones on five circuits: Bahrain, Jeddah, Melbourne, Baku, and Miami.
A safer circuit
In addition to this modification, safety works have been undertaken compared to last year. Thus, the safety barriers have been moved back at the fast corners 14 and 20 for better visibility. In the left-right combination of corners 22 and 23, a banked section has been installed to reduce the speed by 50km/h. Today, with its fast curves, Jeddah has become the fastest urban circuit in the world with an average speed of over 250km/h.
