Austrian GP DRS Zones
The Austrian GP is scheduled to take place from 30th June to 2nd July at the picturesque Red Bull Ring circuit – how many DRS zones here?
F1 has made several modifications to various circuits on the Formula One Calendar before the start of the 2023 season. Changes in DRS zones were implemented in Bahrain, Jeddah, Baku and Miami but there are no such plans for the circuit in Spielberg, which is scheduled to host the Austrian GP. The Red Bull Ring circuit will continue to have THREE DRS zones like previous editions and no changes in the track layout have been made either ahead of this weekend’s race.
The Austrian GP hosts one of the fastest races in the F1 calendar and the three DRS zones play a key role in that. These zones are located in the main straight of the Red Bull Ring circuit – the long stretch that includes the start of the circuit, in the straight between turns 1 and 3 and in the straight that take pilots from turn 3 to turn 4. The layout of the track provides a lot of overtaking opportunities for the drivers.
The best overtaking opportunities at this circuit come before the Niki Lauda Kurve, the Remus zone and before the Schlossgold zone. The DRS zone before the Niki Lauda Kurve is the longest one and the best opportunity to overtake. Between Remus and Schlossgold comes the third and last DRS Zone but drivers have to remain extra careful about braking at the right time.
The record of most wins at the Austrian GP is jointly held by three drivers – Jo Siffert, Alain Prost and Max Verstappen, all having won three titles each. When it comes to Constructors’, Ferrari are the most successful with 7 wins while McLaren are close in second place with six titles. Carlos Sainz holds the record of fastest lap timing – 1:05.619, while driving for McLaren in 2020.
Verstappen is the pre-race favourite this time as well as Red Bull look invincible at the moment and they have started the season with a bang. They didn’t have an ideal Canadian GP last weekend as Perez finished sixth but Verstappen notched up valuable points for the team by finishing on top of the podium. Other teams have a lot of catch up to do and the reigning champions are expected to dominate the grid once again. However, do keep your eyes on Lewis Hamilton, who is slowly getting back to his best.
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