FIA shortens two DRS zones for Miami GP

The FIA has opted to reduce the length of two of the Miami International Autodrome's three DRS zones for this weekend's Miami Grand Prix.

The locations of the three DRS zones are identical to last year, but the first two activation points have been moved further up the road compared to 2022.

The first zone is situated between Turns 9 and 11, while the second zone runs between Turns 16 and 17. Moving the DRS activation points further up has reduced both zones by 75 metres, a change that will likely reduce overtaking opportunities.

The final DRS zone activation points located at the start of the short start/finish straight remains unchanged.

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The changes come in the wake of an almost unanimous outcry by F1's drivers in Baku last week, where the FIA crucially shortened the track's main DRS zone which heavily impacted overtaking in the Sprint and Grand Prix races.

Furthermore, the changes in Baku were undertaken by the FIA without consulting with the drivers, a unilateral decision denounced by GPDA director George Russell.

"I think the overtaking is harder this year than it’s been last year," said the Mercedes driver in Baku.

"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.

"Been a little bit disappointed again that we weren’t in that loop, to hear that."

It's unclear if the drivers were consulted on the DRS changes implemented in Miami, but like in Baku it's likely there were not.

"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," noted Russell last week.

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