Carlos Sainz breaks down how the new DRS rule makes the 2024 F1 season ‘tricky’

Carlos Sainz has made a huge prediction about the DRS system.

Carlos Sainz breaks down how the new DRS rule makes the 2024 F1 season ‘tricky’

Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc (Via IMAGO)

With the new Drag Reduction System rule coming in, many drivers have expressed their concern over the same. Previously, Following the second race lap, drivers have been able to increase their top speed by opening the slot gap in the rear wing since the mechanism was introduced in 2011. But starting with the new season, the new DRS rule was introduced which changed everything.

According to the new rule, now drivers will be permitted to use the DRS following the race’s first lap. With the customary disclaimer that a driver must be within one second of the vehicle ahead at the DRS detection point, this also applies to the second lap following a Safety Car period. This new rule will affect the way of racing. According to Carlos Sainz Jr., who was affected by the new rule during Bahrain GP.

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So on one side you want to push to get out of the DRS or to get into the DRS. And then on the other hand you want to save tyres because we all know how sensitive the tyres are in the first few laps to pushing. So it’s a very fine line. As soon as I saw I didn’t have pressure from behind, I decided to manage my tyres and it paid off, instead of getting into the DRS battle. And then I could overtake them, no problem. And yeah, it’s gonna be track-dependent. It’s gonna be, I think, a very tricky season going 24 races like that.
Carlos Sainz Jr. said, as reported by motorsportsweek.com.

While Sainz did suffer a bit due to the rule he also emphasized that achieving the DRS range requires balancing tire temperature, which he did in Bahrain. According to the Spaniard, a lot of strategy comes into play. He believes that these new rules will have an impact during the street circuit races. 

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One of Ferrari’s primary competitors would have a stronger Saudi Arabian GP this weekend

Carlos Sainz, who started his last season with Ferrari with a solid third-place result at the Bahrain Grand Prix, is apprehensive of McLaren’s possible threat at the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Mclaren, scored points in the Bahrain GP, with their drivers pulling P6 and P8 in the race. McLaren had a better start this year than the previous season. 

Nico Hulkenberg, Fernando Alonso, Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz
Nico Hulkenberg, Fernando Alonso, Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz (Via IMAGO)

Because of the different circuit configurations in Jeddah, Ferrari might face some troubles, unlike Bahrain where they were the second fastest team. While McLaren, which frequently performed well on high-speed circuits in 2023, is anticipated to be more competitive this weekend.

Carlos Sainz who was previously part of the team believes, that McLaren who is good with high-speed circuits does well in Jeddah. According to him, they will be more competitive. But aside from that, he believes with their car improvement at Ferrari, perhaps they will be stronger this year. 

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