F1 Azerbaijan GP: “Disappointed again,” George Russell slams the FIA for failing to consult drivers on Baku DRS changes
George Russell critiques FIA’s decision of tweaking the DRS zone without including the drivers’ opinion.
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George Russell speaking to media (Credits: PlanetF1)
Mercedes driver George Russell has expressed frustration over the decision made by the FIA to shorten the main DRS zone at the Baku City Circuit by 100 meters without seeking any input from drivers. According to Russell, the FIA is not listening to the drivers and is unaware of the difficulty of overtaking. The minor tweak is indicative of a broader issue in which the drivers’ opinions are not taken into account.
“I think the overtaking is harder this year than it’s been last year, I think as the cars have evolved away from the initial regulations that F1 introduced, overtaking has become more difficult,” said George Russell ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, who is the sole director of the Grand Prix Drivers Association on the current F1 grid following Sebastian Vettel‘s retirement.
Speaking about the issue, Russell stated, “Been a little bit disappointed again that we weren’t in that loop, to hear that. I’m not even sure that the FIA are aware that we feel that the overtaking is harder. Yet they’re basing the DRS on historic information. And again it’s changed this weekend. It’s going to make it challenging to overtake.”
George Russell asks for better inclusivity of drivers’ opinions
According to the Brit, the Friday briefing, which generally allows drivers to remark, is insufficient for drivers to share their opinions on major matters such as DRS zones and safety. “We just want to be kept in the loop, whenever these decisions are being made, and to have an opinion or share a thought that can contribute towards their decision,” the Mercedes driver said
In addition to criticizing the latest DRS rule change, George Russell emphasized the necessity of driver input in strengthening sport safety procedures. He cited an instance in the Formula Regional European Championship at Imola in which a driver was seriously injured after striking a curb that had previously been identified as a safety risk by drivers. Russell said that drivers had a unique viewpoint on track safety and that their feedback is vital in increasing both the sport’s enthusiasm and safety.
In the current season, F1 has been experimenting with its DRS zones. While Melbourne featured four DRS zones, Bahrain had one of its zones shortened, and now, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has also undergone a reduction in the DRS zone.
Russell’s critique of the current DRS regulation modification for Baku is not limited to the 100-meter cut but also to the absence of driver participation in such decisions. While he recognizes that the FIA has a lot on its plate, he feels that drivers’ ideas should be considered more frequently because they know directly what it’s like to compete on these circuits. Finally, both the FIA and the drivers want the same thing: to improve the sport.
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Rohit Bhaskar
(727 Articles Published)