Hamilton bemoans lack of consensus on fourth DRS zone in Singapore

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Lewis Hamilton deplored several F1 teams' decision not to support the addition of a fourth DRS zone at Marina Bay following the circuit's changes.

Due to redevelopment work of The Float area at Marina Bay, the old turns 16 to 19 have been bypassed, creating a longer full-throttle section between turn 14 and the old turn 20, which is now Turn 16.

The overall length of the track has been shortened to 4.94km while the race distance has increased from 61 to 62 laps.

Hamilton gave a big thumbs up to the changes and to the circuit's new, smoother surface.

"The changes to the track have been great," he said on Friday. "I think they have really opened up the circuit to be even greater than it was before.

"The change they’ve done with the surface, the new Tarmac that they’ve put down, has made it so much more enjoyable to drive."

Read also: 'Great Friday' for Hamilton and Russell in Singapore

However, Hamilton like most of his colleagues expected the layout change to produce a fourth DRS zone that would enhance overtaking between Turns 14 and 16.

But the FIA didn't give the green light to the plan due to a lack of unanimity among the teams.

"I don’t think at the moment there’ll be more overtaking," Hamilton lamented.

"Maybe there’ll be slightly better overtaking into seven, just because the track is better through that first couple of corners. But I think we need DRS in that new last section.

"All the drivers, we all requested it from the FIA. The FIA asked all the teams and there’s a couple of teams that turned it down.

"So in the drivers’ briefing we’ll try to bring it up. But the teams should be for more racing, not against it. It’s interesting to have a few teams that are against it. But we’ll discuss it and try."

Alpine's Esteban Ocon reckoned the FIA had shied away from imposing the fourth DRS zone for safety reasons.

"The FIA is concerned about safety in that little left kink, I think," he said. "I reckon personally, and the other drivers too, that it’s not going to be an issue."

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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.