FIA announces DRS changes for five F1 tracks in 2023
The FIA has revealed that DRS zones will be changed at five Formula 1 circuits this year to help improve the spectacle.
Following the first year of the new generation of cars, it was widely accepted that at some venues DRS passes had been too easy, while at others the zones were too short.
Having looked closely at the data of last season, the FIA has now revealed that tweaks will be made at the Bahrain, Jeddah, Melbourne, Baku and Miami circuits to better balance things out.
Although there has been no confirmation of exactly what revisions are being made at each track, Melbourne is to get a fourth DRS zone to help close cars up.
As well as DRS zones being tweaked, the FIA has confirmed that resurfacing work is being carried out in Baku and Miami, with Jeddah pushing on with circuit tweaks to improve visibility.
During a meeting of the F1 Commission in London on Tuesday to discuss a number of matters, it was also agreed that there will be a relaxation of rules regarding what radio messages can be sent between drivers and teams from now on.
There had been a clampdown on this several years ago to stop teams coaching drivers too much.
Changes are also to be made to how parc ferme is organised on sprint race weekends.
George Russell, Mercedes W13, 1st position, drives to Parc Ferme after the Sprint
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Teams will have more freedom to change parts that can frequently get damaged, and there will be a greater use made of self-declared forms from the teams as a means of better policing themselves.
Revisions to the wording of regulations regarding the distribution of points for shortened races, which caused controversy at last year’s Japanese Grand Prix, have also been improved.
The tweaks will ensure that full points are only awarded for races that go near full distance, whereas limited points will be distributed if races are cut short or cannot run to their full distance because of interruptions.
It has also been agreed that a winter shutdown will be implemented for both teams and power unit manufacturers.
The cost cap has also been raised from $1.2 million to $1.8 million for each grand prix over the 21 race limit laid down in the rules. This was done because the extra events have usually been flyaways which are more expensive than races in Europe.
New McLaren F1 team boss Stella's transition has been "seamless"
F1 to introduce new wet tyres from Imola that don't need warmers
Mercedes explains the six upgrades on its W14 F1 car
Mercedes explains the six upgrades on its W14 F1 car Mercedes explains the six upgrades on its W14 F1 car
Hamilton: New Mercedes F1 contract "nearly there", no Ferrari talks
Hamilton: New Mercedes F1 contract "nearly there", no Ferrari talks Hamilton: New Mercedes F1 contract "nearly there", no Ferrari talks
What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset
What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset
Indy 500 drivers voice tyre concerns after vibrations, cording in practice
Indy 500 drivers voice tyre concerns after vibrations, cording in practice Indy 500 drivers voice tyre concerns after vibrations, cording in practice
DTM Oschersleben: Engelhart leads Porsche 1-2-3-4 in Sunday's race
DTM Oschersleben: Engelhart leads Porsche 1-2-3-4 in Sunday's race DTM Oschersleben: Engelhart leads Porsche 1-2-3-4 in Sunday's race
Live updates: Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix
Live updates: Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix Live updates: Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix
Alonso: High-adrenaline qualifying shows why Monaco must stay on F1 calendar
Alonso: High-adrenaline qualifying shows why Monaco must stay on F1 calendar Alonso: High-adrenaline qualifying shows why Monaco must stay on F1 calendar
The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP
The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP
What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset
What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset
Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?
Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari? Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?
Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience
Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience
Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks?
Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks? Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks?
The crucial next steps for McLaren on its path to F1 recovery
The crucial next steps for McLaren on its path to F1 recovery The crucial next steps for McLaren on its path to F1 recovery
The bigger answer Mercedes needs from its now delayed F1 upgrades
The bigger answer Mercedes needs from its now delayed F1 upgrades The bigger answer Mercedes needs from its now delayed F1 upgrades
What the lessons of 2013’s mid-year tyre change mean for F1 2023's dominant team
What the lessons of 2013’s mid-year tyre change mean for F1 2023's dominant team What the lessons of 2013’s mid-year tyre change mean for F1 2023's dominant team
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.