The FIA has determined so as to add a fourth DRS zone to the Marina Bay circuit for Method 1’s return to the Singapore Grand Prix.
The choice comes after drivers didn’t foyer the governing physique so as to add the additional zone to spice up overtaking alternatives within the race final yr.
Following a structure change to the circuit forward of the 2023 occasion, the FIA had consulted the groups in regards to the doable addition of the DRS zone, however the ruling physique mentioned there had been no “clear consensus”.
A press release supplied to Motorsport.com forward of the occasion final yr learn: “It’s one thing that was thought of following the change in structure for this yr, and the FIA contacted all the groups a number of weeks in the past to ask for his or her suggestions and enter.
“There was, nevertheless, no clear consensus from these groups that responded and, following our security simulations, it was determined that we would not take the matter any additional.”
However that has modified for this weekend’s occasion, with a fourth zone added to the configuration.
Between Turns 14 and 16, a straight – with the Flip 15 kink – changed the previous ‘grandstand’ part of the circuit, owing to development work. This may now be the house of the fourth DRS zone.
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-23, George Russell, Mercedes F1 W14, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-23, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL60, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W14, the remainder of the sphere in the beginning
Photograph by: Lionel Ng / Motorsport Photos
This creates a double dose of DRS with the zone between Turns 13 and 14, hopefully offering higher overtaking alternatives at a monitor the place trains of automobiles following each other have turn out to be the norm.
It was at this part of the monitor {that a} bump, particularly on the apex of the kink, had prompted security considerations final yr which additionally performed in opposition to the introduction of the additional zone.
Talking final yr, Alpine’s Esteban Ocon defined: “The FIA is worried about security in that little left kink. I reckon personally, and the opposite drivers too, that it is not going to be a difficulty.
“We’re pushing in the mean time to have the ability to attempt it at the very least in FP1, see the way it feels and if it is OK, doubtlessly maintain it. There isn’t any cause why we’d not have the ability to maintain it.
“Within the simulator, there was an enormous bump on that left kink, which may very well be the reason for not having it. However I do not assume it’s there in actual life.
“I reckon that is a difficulty from scanning with the partitions being there and it is quick and all that.”
