This year's Australian Grand Prix is set to be the fastest ever, as it is confirmed that there will be four DRS zones.

Following the various modifications carried out to the Albert Park layout, last year's race was set to feature four zones but this was reduced to three after safety concerns were raised.

At a drivers briefing dominated by the announcement that the FIA was to ban jewellery and non-regulatory underwear, and described by Christian Horner as "entertaining", Fernando Alonso raised a number of concerns over the zone between Turn 8 and before Turn 9.

Now, just over a month before F1 returns to Melbourne, officials have announced that the previous issues have been resolved and therefore there will be four zones once again.

"I've had positive feedback from the FIA and Formula One that technically speaking, a fourth DRS zone will be implemented," Australian Grand Prix Corporation boss, Andrew Westacott tells the Herald Sun.

"That means the cars will be going faster coming into turn 11," he adds, "and if they are going faster, that means faster through that whole area and faster lap times.

"It will be the fastest race in Melbourne ever," he continues, "and that is a result of a number of things. You've got the evolution of the cars from last year - and they've obviously got better - and the fourth DRS zones means the cars will be quicker around the back of the circuit, which will obviously increase speed and therefore reduce lap time and make it the quickest Grand Prix and the highest average speed ever in Melbourne."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 23/02/2023 1:00

"@Tom681...It's one thing closing up and another thing being able to utilise the slipstream to effect a pass. We saw quite few examples of this last year. "

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2. Posted by Tom2681, 22/02/2023 17:43

"We saw in 2022 that cars can follow each other much more easily. Why is DRS still a thing?"

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3. Posted by Tardis40, 22/02/2023 14:29

"Oh Boy How Exciting :("

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4. Posted by JR Martin, 22/02/2023 14:28

"I would like to see less emphasis on aero and replacing DRS with a similar Indy Car Push-to-Pass. If they're so hung up with DRS, then remove the restriction of being within one second or less of the lead driver and allow DRS to be used anytime in the DRS zones. "

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5. Posted by kenji, 22/02/2023 12:05

"I have always been of two minds when it comes to DRS. Without it we will revert to boring trains where no one can break free...especially where the car performances are so close. We do get those trains as well with DRS so it's a moot point. DRS is simply a 'movable aero device' when all said and done. That said, then why not allow more more movable aero within certain guidelines that would make it even closer. Allowing some form of aero braking would also make passing even more contentious as well. Time to shake things up a little more...."

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6. Posted by Stitch431, 22/02/2023 8:52

"Disgusting! We should get rid of DRS (free overtaking without having to race). With these cars slipstreaming is more or less possible and we have seen last year in a couple of races that when the DRS is not on yet, the cars still can follow and overtake. The difference is that without DRS it is a much better and heroic spectacle where the men are being separated from the boys."

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7. Posted by alvarezh3, 22/02/2023 4:16

"@TokyoAussie

Yes, most of us thinks so, but unfortunately it's with us whether we like it or not. Hence, why not suggest a different and probably more interesting use of it?"

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8. Posted by TokyoAussie, 22/02/2023 3:04

"DRS, definitely not a gimmick. (yes it is)"

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9. Posted by Superbird70, 22/02/2023 2:55

"@KKK, @alarezh3- yes please. Too bad it makes so much sense."

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10. Posted by alvarezh3, 21/02/2023 14:48

"@KKK

No, no, the brilliant idea was yours, I just refined it a bit! :-)"

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11. Posted by KKK, 21/02/2023 14:26

"@alvarexh3

what an absolutely brilliant idea!"

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12. Posted by alvarezh3, 21/02/2023 13:53

"@KKK

Your post initially made me laugh, then it gave me an idea: Why not give each driver x amount of DRS use per lap and allow him to use it anywhere he wishes? Like you suggested, the whole track would be DRS able, even to defend!

At Indy they can use its push-to-pass extra power anywhere, they are limited on its time activated (max 20 seconds at a time, for a total of 200 seconds per race)."

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13. Posted by KKK, 21/02/2023 11:40

"Wouldnt it be easier to police (and more entertaining) if you just have the whole circuit as a DRS zone ?"

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Albert Park to feature four DRS zones

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