The DRS zone at the start line has been extended this weekend in Baku

The FIA wants to make Formula 1 a true spectacle in order to attract even more fans. This weekend, it made the decision to extend the DRS zone on the last straight of the circuit, which measures over 2 km. A decision that should offer even more impressive top speeds and make overtaking more accessible, an aspect that seems to have been improved but still needs to be developed.

Above all, the FIA is going back on a change implemented last year. The organization had indeed decided to reduce the DRS zone by 100 meters for the 2023 edition of the Azerbaijan GP. A decision that had sparked debate in the paddock. It is therefore reversing this decision for this year.

A resolution with the aim of facilitating overtaking

In 2022, the governing body of Formula 1 has decided to initiate a real revolution with the introduction of a new technical regulation. Among the most notable changes, we can highlight the return of ground effect cars, which were introduced in the 1970s and then banned in 1982 because they were considered too dangerous. This aerodynamic phenomenon, which allows to reduce drag by sticking the car to the ground, is intended to facilitate overtaking and allow cars to follow each other even in corners, by reducing the aerodynamic disturbances caused by the car in front.

Despite these innovations, the FIA has decided not to remove the DRS, explaining that it still allows for numerous overtakes and makes the race a little more exciting. Furthermore, as McLaren team principal Andrea Stella explained, the development of teams is making the cars increasingly close to each other, bringing back aerodynamic disturbances and making overtaking without activating the DRS difficult.

« There is obviously an easy solution, which is DRS, but this raises the question of the fact that with the development of cars, it seems that following each other has become, once again, a little more tricky," explained the Italian. « I don't think it's as extreme as before, with the new generation of cars, but it definitely seems more difficult than what we had anticipated with this generation of cars. » Fernando Alonso's former engineer admits that extending DRS zones on some circuits is probably the solution to focus on. Comments that seem to have been heard by the FIA, if we are to believe the last two Grand Prix.

Extended DRS zones at Monza and Baku

Last weekend in Monza, the FIA decided to modify the configuration of the straight line. Before this season, the activation of the DRS (Drag Reduction System) was done 115 meters after the finish line. In 2024, it has now been moved to 12 meters from the finish line, an extension of 103 meters to activate the DRS. This decision aims to put an end to the "DRS trains" that have been observed on this track in past years. This weekend in Baku, Formula 1 once again modified the DRS zone from the starting line, which was extended by 100 meters. Drivers will now be able to activate the DRS 347 meters after the last turn, turn 20, compared to 447 meters last year, which will offer even more impressive top speeds.

These decisions are not insignificant as they echo some complaints from the drivers regarding the reduction of DRS zones on certain circuits, such as those of Barcelona and Spa-Francorchamps this season, believing that it made overtaking even more difficult to perform. Despite a small reduction of two meters in the DRS zone after turn 2, no major changes are expected this weekend, even though the FIA has introduced new barriers to improve safety on a circuit as dangerous as Baku. The asphalt has also been revised in some turns to minimize accidents. The federation seems to want to take the lead in offering us a spectacular race.