Whiting talks about DRS and the work at Interlagos

The two DRS zones established in Abu Dhabi not proving very convincing and the Interlagos circuit ultimately offering only one true straight line, the FIA has defined a single DRS zone for the upcoming Brazilian Grand Prix, located between turns 3 – Curva do Sol – and 4 – Subida do Lago: “We think this will be sufficient, the main straight already usually offers good overtaking opportunities, so we don’t want to make things too easy,” explains Charlie Whiting, the FIA race director.

Since the beginning of the season, 45% of overtakes have occurred thanks to DRS. Naturally, this proportion increases on circuits where drivers had 2 activation zones like in Abu Dhabi (89% of overtakes due to the famous movable rear wing), Valencia (81%), and India (78%). Conversely, in Japan for example, DRS is responsible for only 26% of overtakes, compared to 20% in Hungary, 57% in Spain, and 59% in Turkey. Over the entire season, the average number of overtakes per race due to DRS is estimated at 20.

Charlie Whiting also spoke about the work planned for several months for the circuit: « There are a few minor changes to the circuit, but next year there will be more significant ones: we hope to build a new pit entrance and expand the run-off areas in the last corner, but it’s important work that requires moving some permanent stands. We have received assurances from the city of São Paulo that it will support this project. »

The safety of the Paulista circuit has indeed been regularly called into question, particularly after the horrific accident that marked the 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix, though without serious consequences. The 2011 season, however, was marked by two tragic accidents, as 29-year-old Gustavo Sondermann, a driver in the Copa Chevrolet Montana, lost his life a few weeks before Paulo Kunze, a 67-year-old stock car driver, succumbed to his injuries.