FIA moves detection point for third DRS zone in Jeddah

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The FIA has moved back the detection point for Jeddah's third DRS zone until after the track's final corner in a bid to prevent dangerous cat-and-mouse overtaking tactics.

The detection point for the final DRS zone was previously located in the braking area of the Turn 27 hairpin that leads back on to Jeddah's main start/finish straight.

The location led to a tactic by which a driver would suddenly slow on the approach to the hairpin to let a rival through on purpose, to then enjoy the benefit of DRS on the main straight and across the finish line.

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The ploy was used in Jeddah's inaugural event in 2021 during an epic fight for the lead between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. The Dutchman embraced the tactic again last year during his fight with Charles Leclerc who also relied on the sneaky gamesmanship.

But the FIA has opted to put an end to the "cat-and-mouse games" - as Red Bull's Christian Horner called it – by placing the zone's DRS detection point 170m past the final hairpin.

"The DRS is so powerful, you could see there was a game of cat and mouse going on between the drivers where they would actually brake to a point where they accelerated into the corner," Horner said after last year's race.

The activation point for the final DRS zone remains in the same place while the track's other two DRS zones are unchanged.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.