Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) has criticized the FIA’s decision to remove the fourth DRS zone for “safety reasons” at the F1 Australian Grand Prix this weekend.
For this weekend, a new fourth DRS zone was set up on Turn 9 of the refurbished Albert Park. However, following Friday’s practice, F1 race director Niels Wittich said he had removed it for “safety reasons.”
Max Verstappen said he mightn’t agree to the change, claiming that Albert Park’s track layout was less dangerous than the Jeddah Cornish circuit where F1 raced two weeks ago.
“Of course, removing one DRS zone makes it harder to overtake,” said Max Verstappen.
“For example, it was much safer than Jeddah, so I’m not sure why they removed it. It’s a bit of a mystery to me why it happened.”
Max Verstappen suggested that the change was made by the opposition of one of Red Bull Racing’s rivals.
“Only one team complained regarding it, but it was removed this morning,” said Max Verstappen.
“I really don’t understand because it was a lot easier for me than running with DRS in Jeddah, for example. Jeddah had far more corners.”
“I had no problem driving the DRS open. I have to ask the FIA why they stole it. It’s a shame because it should have helped the race.”
Charles Leclerc said the additional DRS zone exacerbated the “porpoising” that Ferrari was suffering over the race weekend.
“I didn’t talk regarding it yesterday or at the drivers briefing,” said Charles Leclerc.
“There were times when intense bouncing on DRS was very tricky for us, but it doesn’t make a big difference for us with or without DRS.”
The change to the DRS zone was announced shortly before the start of the final practice. Toto Wolff, the head of the Mercedes F1 team, revealed that he didn’t know it until the session began.
“I learned regarding it in the session,” Toto Wolff said.
“Everyone knew, the engineers knew. I didn’t know why it changed and it was a little hard for everyone. But it can’t be helped.”
Category: Category: F1 / Max Verstappen / Red bull / F1 Australian GP
