Russell unhappy with FIA 'rogue call' to shorten DRS zone in Baku

GPDA director George Russell says he was disappointed with the FIA's decision to shorten the main DRS zone in Baku with zero input from the drivers.

Like last year, there will be two DRS zones in this weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

While the first zone located between Turns 2 and 3 has not been altered, the final zone on the main straight has been shortened by 100 metres, with an activation point situated 447 metres after Turn 20.

The change by the FIA was presumably done to make overtaking a little less easy down Baku's main straight, based on observations from last year's race.

But Russell suggests overtaking is harder this year as cars have "evolved away" from the new regulations introduced last year by F1. The Briton therefore laments a call made by the FIA with zero consultation with the drivers.

"I think the overtaking is harder this year than it’s been last year," he said.

"I think as the cars have evolved away from the initial regulations that F1 introduced, overtaking has become more difficult. And obviously they’re shortening all the DRS zones as well, which… the drivers have had zero input on.

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"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."

Russell said the decision will "for sure" come up at Friday's traditional drivers' briefing with race director Niels Wittich.

"I mean, it’s only 100 metres, it’s not going to change the world. But it’s directionally incorrect," added the Mercedes charger.

"But I think, you know, 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.

"And, that’s a process that we still need to work on. Because, clearly… we’re all in this together and we only want the best for the sport."

Russell felt that the FIA's decision was the latest in a series of "crazy or rogue" calls made by race control recently that have completely lacked consistency.

"It's a bit of a challenging time, no doubt for all of us in that regard, and for sure as well for the FIA," explained the GPDA director.

"They're not stupid, and they're trying to do the best job possible. But things do need to be ironed out to understand where their approach is going to lie.

"We can't really be having weekends that are just totally dictated by what somebody in the race control office wants to do.

"We've seen a few crazy or rogue decisions being made recently. If they're consistent, that's absolutely fine. But it's the inconsistency that makes it challenging for the rest of us.

"We just need a bit more of a collaborative effort to improve the sport from an excitement factor, but then also on a safety regard," concluded Russell.

"Who better to give them feedback than the people who are actually driving the cars themselves?"

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