The topic of a DRS zone within the new part of monitor, the place an extended straight has briefly changed 4 corners, first emerged in the summertime.
The matter was difficult by a kink early within the straight, the crown on the street, and the bumpy nature of the circuit, all elements that meant including a DRS zone was not an computerized choice.
In June, the FIA asked teams for their feedback from simulations. The issue was that at that time they have been specializing in the upcoming July races and people instantly after the summer time break, and Singapore wasn’t essentially a precedence for sim departments.
Sources say that three groups stated no to the brand new zone, two have been impartial or had no agency opinion, and 5 did not reply, and thus it was determined to not proceed with the additional zone.
Nonetheless, when race drivers started to pattern the brand new part of monitor on crew simulators within the build-up to the Singapore GP, many of them questioned why there was no DRS zone, sentiments they expressed on arrival on the monitor.
On Thursday night the GPDA wrote a letter to the FIA stating that they unanimously supported the addition of an additional zone.
Within the wake of the rising debate, the topic was mentioned on the crew managers’ assembly early on Friday.
The FIA then requested for a vote of groups, regardless of the logistical points associated to including a zone on the final minute, akin to reprogramming automobile ECUs and resurveying and including a loop to the monitor.
Unanimity was required for a change, however 4 groups responded by saying that they did not need the additional zone.
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W14
Photograph by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images
The topic was raised once more within the drivers’ briefing after the vehicles ran on Friday, with GPDA director George Russell amongst these saying that the additional DRS zone would have been an enchancment whereas accepting that it was too late for any change to be made.
Lewis Hamilton was notably upset by the dearth of the zone, suggesting that groups had made racing tougher.
“I feel we want DRS in that new final part, which all of the drivers requested from the FIA,” stated Hamilton. “And the FIA requested all of the groups and there have been a few groups that turned it down
“The groups ought to be for extra racing, not towards it. And it is fascinating to have few groups which might be towards it.”
Valtteri Bottas instructed that the zone might have began in a while the straight.
“I feel it ought to be there,” stated the Finn. “The worst case straight after the kink. I feel it might be a terrific alternative to make this a bit extra fascinating race to look at. I feel all of the drivers have been wanting that change.”
Nico Hulkenberg downplayed any security issues in regards to the kink.
“There can be no downside with DRS, at that pace already there’s a lot downforce on the rear there,” stated the Haas driver. “I do not suppose from my viewpoint that there would have been a security concern.
“Some drivers have been asking for it, however it was a bit too late. You solely actually know after the race, it is perhaps additionally that if you happen to do it it is perhaps approach too simple to overhaul. We do not actually know till we race right here. So I assume we do it like this now, after which evaluate for subsequent yr.”