Aston Martin refutes George Russell’s dubious claims of overtaking difficulty in 2023
George Russell highlighted the difficulty of overtaking on track this year to the media
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Dan Fallows and George Russell via SI
George Russell has been one of the active drivers to voice his disapproval of the shortening of DRS zones on circuits, rendering it more difficult for drivers to overtake, leaving them to rely on their car’s pure straight-line speed to get a move done. He also stated that it makes races less exciting lacking wheel-to-wheel action.
Aston Martin’s Technical Director Dan Fallows has denied Russell’s claims, however, citing no data that supports the Englishman’s statements. Speaking to the media, he said, “The drivers have their own opinions, and I think we’ve seen people running the cars in slightly different specifications from each other, which does clearly make a difference”
He added, “There have been conversations about Baku, but I think we’ve seen in previous races, there’s been opportunities for overtaking.” He also cited how overtaking opportunities depend on the race circuit and how it can vary, saying, “That is going to carry on for all the circuits this year, there’ll always be some which are easier to overtake and some which aren’t.”
The FIA has continued to shorten DRS zones
As previously reported, the 2023 season will witness modifications to the DRS (Drag Reduction System) zones in the first five races. These adjustments will involve either extending or reducing the DRS zones with the aim of enhancing overtaking opportunities and achieving a more balanced racing experience.
In the Miami Grand Prix, modifications were made to the first two out of three DRS zones. These changes involved shifting the activation points of the DRS zones further up the road, potentially aiming to optimize overtaking opportunities and enhance the excitement of the race.
It’s important to note that the adjustments made to the DRS zones in different circuits are not connected to the DRS reduction witnessed in the previous Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The modifications are being made on a circuit-by-circuit basis, tailoring the DRS zones to each specific track, considering factors such as track layout, straights, and overtaking opportunities. In the case of the Azerbaijan GP, the DRS zone on the main straight was shortened by 100 meters, which was an independent decision for that particular race.
However, contradictory to their intentions, Miami and Baku produced tepid races. The reduction of the DRS zone in Baku led to a situation where overtaking became incredibly challenging for drivers. Many drivers expressed their concerns and questioned the decision to reduce the DRS zone, particularly because overtaking in the 2023 season has proven to be more difficult compared to the previous year.
The increased downforce that teams have incorporated into their cars has played a role in this difficulty, further highlighting the need for well-designed and effective DRS zones to facilitate overtaking opportunities. The FIA shows no sign of stopping these modifications, which could result in the drivers protesting further against this.
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Tanuj Sadasivam
(245 Articles Published)