FIA plans two DRS zones for Monza

F1 Fanatic round-up

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In today’s round-up: the FIA is planning two separate DRS zones at the Italian Grand Prix.

Links

Top F1 links from the past 24 hours:

FIA plans two independent DRS zones for Monza (Adam Cooper)

"The FIA is planning to operate two completely independent DRS zones at the Italian GP, this blog can reveal.

"In Montreal there were two consecutive zones for the first time – using the same detection point – but in Italy the two zones will be in different parts of the track and will have their own detection points. Not surprisingly one will be on the main straight, while sources say that the other will be between the second Lesmo and Ascari."

Formula 1 teams pick Mugello for 2012’s new mid-season test (Autosport)

"Formula 1 testing will return to Mugello next year after teams provisionally agreed for their in-season run to take place at the Italian track. The Formula One Teams’ Association (FOTA) met on Sunday morning to discuss the venue for the single in-season test that outfits have been looking at slotting in."

P irelli will be more cautious with camber guidelines for Monza (Autosport)

"Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery insists his company will be more cautious with its recommended camber guidelines for future races following the Belgian Grand Prix tyre controversy."

Bruno Senna post Belgian GP video interview (Lotus Renault GP)

"Fresh from completing his Lotus Renault GP race debut, Bruno spoke to us about how he adapted to the pressures of life in the cockpit this weekend."

Belgian Grand Prix from the pit lane with Ted Kravitz (BBC F1)

"BBC F1 reporter Ted Kravitz brings you the inside line from the paddock after Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel wins an action-packed Belgian Grand Prix."

Timo Glock (via Twitter)

"What a race! Sorry to Paul di Resta made a mistake in turn one, locked tyres couldn’t avoid a crash! After that car was not great but could finish the race. Another 2 car finish for the team which is great. Mechanics did great pit stops! Spa as usual great race look forward to Monza."

Darren Heath (F1Photographer via Twitter)

"Just had chat with F1 Renault engineer. They’re quite impressed with Senna . Not in an Alonso way but they’re keen to keep him for all 2011"

Byron Young (via Twitter)

"Robert Kubica’s final operation on his elbow was declared a “total success” after be opened his eyes and asked the results of the race."

Will Buxton (via Twitter)

"Just found out it was @JamesMoy who had to duck when @LewisHamilton hit the barrier. Lucky boys. Both of them."

Via the F1 Fanatic live Twitter app

GP2 champion Romain Grosjean not chasing late-season Formula 1 seat (Autosport)

"Newly-crowned GP2 champion Romain Grosjean says he is not focusing on trying to race for Renault in Formula 1 before the end of the season."

David Coulthard and Anthony Davidson lead tributes to Martin Hines (Autosport)

"Former Formula 1 drivers David Coulthard and Anthony Davidson have paid tribute to karting guru Martin Hines, who died on Sunday morning aged 64. He had been suffering with cancer."

Driver dies in drag race crash (Sky News)

"A driver has died after his hot rod car, thought to be travelling at 130mph, crashed as he crossed the finishing line of a drag race event. It is believed Kasey Dixon-Grainger’s Mark 1 Ford Cortina car veered sideways and rolled over several times at the York Raceway."

Follow F1 news as it breaks using the F1 Fanatic live Twitter app.

Comment of the day

Following the news announced yesterday that Spa-Francorchamps will only feature on the calendar in alternate years, Prisoner Monkeys says:

Everyone is going to complain about the loss of Spa. But let’s face facts here – nothing seems to be working to save the race. They get sponsorship, they get government subsidies, they get all manner of financial assistance, and yet there seems to be a permanent cloud over the event. Initiatives that work for other circuits have no effect, and everybody seems to be blaming Bernie instead of asking why.

Spa isn’t paying as much as other races, but it’s still struggling. Doesn’t anybody else find this strange?

Under this arrangement, at least Formula 1 will still be able to visit Spa. And it’s not like the circuit is alternating with somewhere like Abu Dhabi; Paul Ricard is a great circuit itself.
Prisoner Monkeys

Read more: Belgium and France to share F1 race from 2013

From the forum

2011 Belgian Grand Prix Awards

Happy birthday!

Happy birthday to Jelle van der Meer and Metrium!

On this day in F1

James Hunt won the Dutch Grand Prix 35 years ago today.

This was the last race Niki Lauda missed following his crash at the Nurburgring, and it left Hunt 14 points behind in the championship with four races remaining.

Author information

Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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63 comments on “FIA plans two DRS zones for Monza”

  1. Its my birthday today

    1. Happy one indeed with the race.

    2. Have a nice birthday then f199player!

      And I wish the same to Metrium and a hartelijke gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag to Jelle van der Meer!

      1. Thanks, it is nice to look forward to the Belgian GP around my birthday!

    3. Happy birthday!

  2. I must have missed that Spa and Paul Ricard sharing story, news to me! On reflection, a move that doesnt suprise me in the slightest. A shame that we’ll only get half the dose of Spa that we’re used to, but at the same time we can be sure it has a future.

    For an event that attracts so many fans, has government subs and a lead sponser it’s strange that it still cant manage to break even.

    At least we havent lost it though. Got to see the positives.

    1. Well, I can understand it. There are just not enough cheap hotels in the area, so it’ll cost you a fortune to go there and see the cars once every two minutes… Or you go to a camping – with all the eurotechno, drunk people and mud….
      It is the best track, but it’s just not comfortable enough to spent all your money on. And allthough the weather produces exciting races, it ruins your holiday.
      Would I go if I had the money? Yes, but I’m not a casual fan. And those are lacking.
      Shame.

  3. I thought the camber angle was limited somehow, so things like these are totally avoided.

    It’s weird they “recommend” a maximum angle, instead of imposing it. Is there any particular reason for that?

    1. There probably is a maximum camber angle in the regs, Pirelli just advised teams on what they believe the tyres can cope best with.

    2. Because Pirelli aren’t the FIA and don’t set the rules. They can only suggest limits, and if a team goes outside that, they can just say “Told you so”

  4. Good to hear Bobby K is on the mend. Here’s hoping he can return to Renault in 2012.

    1. I’ve little doubt he will do. Perhaps the more pertinent question is whether he will be as good as he was this time last year. It’d be a real shame if he ‘did a Panis’ and came back a shadow of his former self.

      1. Yea that does worry me also. I really hope he can come back in a level that feels comfortable for him.

  5. I have to disagree with the comment of the day. It’s not that I’m against Paul Ricard, it’s a track much better than half of the current ones if not more.
    But they shouldn’t alternate it with Spa but rather with Barcelona or Valencia, and the reason is very simple. Ask yourself this question: Is Spa as important to F1 as Monaco? My answer is yes, because it’s the best active racetrack in the world, and as such losing it or even alternating it, would bring F1’s image a heavy damage.
    Monaco is important for different reasons but the key aspect of this is that Monaco doesn’t pay anything for hosting the race, not a penny! Why not the same for Spa?

    Imo, f true, it’s a very stupid decision by BE who, as usual, can’t see anything beyond his short term $ interest. Does he want to take all this money with him to the grave?

    1. Jarred Walmsley
      29th August 2011, 0:34

      Did you not read the comments in the other article, the ONLY track that Paul Ricard can be alternated with is Spa, due to contract constraints.

      I’m sure Bernie would have rather alternated Valencia or Barcelona, but he can’t because of contract restrictions he doesn’t want to break a contract as that gives ammunition to anyone who wants to get out of a contract with him

    2. I’m not agreeing either. Isn’t it the case with almost every single classic track F1 visits every year? How many times have we heard the “Melbourne/Magny Cours/Spa/Nurburgring/Hockenheim/(until last year) Silverstone/Hungaroring unsure about future in F1” story?

      Nothing works because they don’t want to make it work. There are so many places F1 could go now, these tracks just are not attractive enough for moderm F1. It’s been changing for the last 15 years, first Malaysia, then Turkey, Barhain, China… and now half the calendar consist of brand new tracks.

      It’s okay to blame Bernie, because we want the classics every year. But there’s always a dark cloud surrounding them. Weirdly, none of those clouds ever approach Barcelona/Valencia!

      1. Nothing works because they don’t want to make it work?

        What do you mean? The race organizers don’t want the race? Or Bernie asks too much?

        1. Bernie asks too much.

    3. But they shouldn’t alternate it with Spa but rather with Barcelona or Valencia, and the reason is very simple.

      That’s not practical. Or possible, for that matter. The only way circuits can alternate is if a) there is a provision for it in their contract with FOM, and b) with the agreement of circuit owners. It’s all well and good to say “Paul Ricard should alternate with Barcelona”, but if the organisers in Barcelona don’t want to do it, then it’s not possible. For all the flak that he takes, Bernie – to his credit – has never broken a contract simply because he got a better offer from someone else. So he’s not going to arbitrarily swap races around against their wishes.

      1. Then don’t do that at all. As I said in my original post, the value of Spa to F1 is just too great because it’s the best circuit we have. I’m sure many French people will agree with me on this, espesially as Spa is pretty close to France anyway.
        Monaco pays nothing. So should Spa.

        1. Then where do you stop? If Spa pays nothing then the other circuits will start asking questions, least of all Silverstone. That wound certainly be a kick in the teeth for their 17 year deal!

          Remember, F1 is a business and not there solely for our entertainment.

      2. I think you are probably right on these other possibilities.
        We heard Bernie was working on having either just Valencia or alternating Valencia and Barcelona earlier in the year to create space in the calendar for new races(that last part is an assumption by me). Nothing came of it, as neither track was into the sharing deal.

        I do think Spa could be rejuvenated and work if they get someone sensible to run it, and get some development in around the track to make it a more stable venue, and possibly attrackt more visitors.

        A big question remains, whether the locals actually would allow something like that instead od keeping it nice an cozy in the ardennes.

  6. Really am astounded with the praise Maldonado is receiving. I find it difficult to give any praise to someone who shouldn’t be on the race track. And his comments about Lewis’ incident with KOB were utter rubbish!

    1. Me too. I would personally have given him two race suspension, one of which served in Spa the other suspended for 12 months.

      When questioned about it he looked very sheepish on the BBC today and rightly so. He knows what he did and he knows it was wrong. He got off very lightly.

      My feeling is that if a top 5 team did this to Hamilton (or any other driver for that fact) they would have had a far worse penalty than what Maldonado got.

      Maldonado annoys me. He might have won the GP2 title, but he is a dirty and terrible driver. Very few people rate him.

    2. I don’t see why people reacted so badly to Maldonado this weekend. I mean, what do we really know about him.

      I wonder if maybe people are picking on him because of his image- that is, as a baldy, pock marked, brace wearing slightly sinister looking chap. The fact that he is in F1 thanks to the financial support of a somewhat crazy dictator doesn’t help his bad guy image either.

      I wonder if it had’ve been a more ‘innocent’ looking driver who collided with Hamilton whether we’d all be so outraged. Imagine instead that it was Sergio Perez or Daniel Ricciardo involved, for example. Would we all be so quick to call for the noose?

      1. Oops, too much wondering in that post for my liking :P

      2. I am wondering as well Ned!

        I certainly think he deserved a bigger penalty for the after qualifying incident. He did not really seem to even take it as being very wrong what he did. But after DC asked him about this having been about to much aggression, he showed he does realise that was bad.
        In the race he did all he could to keep a clean nose, and he finished quite a lot ahead of where he started, clearly ahead of his team mate as well.
        So it was a deserved point, and this might even be the turnaround in his season/career.

        And you have a fair point, that the fact it were these two mattered a lot for defining the reactions Ned.

      3. Thing is though, I don’t think Perez or Ricciardo would chase after someone after the chequered flag and veer into them in the first place. Maldonado chased after Hamilton, veered towards him and through his actions, whether he intended to make contact or not, endangered both himself and Hamilton and the spectators. If he intended to make contact that is completely unaccepatble and if he didn’t then he clearly lacks sufficient ability to control his car which is rather damning itself. The fact that he then seemed to refuse to accept the blame just compounded matters for me.

        1. Just think if it had been Hamilton the perpetrator and let’s say Vettel the victim.

  7. With two DRS zones and 3 teams plus Mercedes (in a straight line) on roughly the same pace this might become an overtaking festival. OR after a few laps the field is in the order from fastest to slowest and it will be boring. Looking forward to a Ferrari 1 2 anyway :-P

    1. i can imagine Mercedes being very strong at Monza.

      Also, i hope the paul ricard circuit uses the layout with the massive straight!

    2. The good part is, they finally implement the multiple zones with multiple detection points as well, avoiding the scenes at the last one, where cars used the second part to get further away from the person they just passed.

  8. With the crowds, the sponsorship and the subsidies, I’m not sure what else could be the problem other than fees. I dug up this James Allen article: http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2011/06/bahrain-not-the-only-flashpoint-for-formula-1-teams/

    But, as Bernie Ecclestone is always keen to point out, more races equals more money for teams. On Friday morning, before the FIA World Council sat down to meet, financial journalist Christian Sylt, put out a press release saying that “revenue from Formula One’s commercial rights will reach more than $3bn annually by 2016 “. This is in comparison to the $1.5 billion it generated in the 2010 season.

    This assertion is based on race hosting fees increasing dramatically, such that “the highest race hosting fee, which currently stands at $50m, will be more than $100m by the end of the decade,” because of the fee escalator, which works on compound interest year on year. Clearly it is assumed that TV revenues will also jump dramatically.

    Somehow I think the costs are a greater issue than the COTD implies. Spa is one of the most expensive tickets on the calendar (https://www.racefans.net/2010/01/20/2010-f1-ticket-prices-revealed/), so what is that money paying off? The crowds look perfectly healthy too so it’s not because of any shortfall.

    I think at the heart of the matter is Ecclestone’s famous escalator. Compound interest is a female dog and Belgium just can’t justify the costs. It would be great if anyone has any actual numbers, been looking everywhere. Even if they do pay less (in comparison to the Asian circuits certainly, but their governments are willing to burn money for the prestige; I wonder how it compares to other European races) in absolute terms, it will be a lot of money for a smaller country to pay for an annual vanity event.

    And yes, it is better than nothing. But a giant shame all the same.

    1. Yeah, the escalator for F1 deals is quite incredible. It always surprises me that circuits (particularly those without significant government support) are prepared to commit to paying such huge sums of money in the future.

      As much as I hate (yes, I know it’s a strong word) the man, I have to grudgingly respect Ecclestone’s success in fleecing the circuits and national governments of the world for so much money over the years

    2. I think at the heart of the matter is Ecclestone’s famous escalator.

      All the other circuits that have an escalator have no trouble with it …

      1. I think you are pretty far off the truth there PM, to be honest.

        It was a long standing problem in Canada, its a big issue for Melbourne, probably did a lot to bring both German GPs to their knees, its part of why Turkey gave up on its race, and Sepang is also worried about it.
        And it was another point bringing the end of the Indy deal closer. Not to mention the long struggle by Silverstone, and by Belgium itself having already made the race at risk of dropping out several times.

  9. Bad mistake from Glock in the first corner. He was about 50m behind Di Resta going in to La Source but left his braking so late he ended up piling in to the side of him.

    Absolutely no luck for Di Resta this weekend. A mix-up from the team put him out in Q1, he was hit from behind on the first lap and his car badly damaged, and he lost out heavily during the safety car period! Better luck at Monza PDR!

  10. Well that sucks, don’t know how I missed Spa getting axed.
    But at least it sees France return to the GP scene.

    Now why can’t Abu Dhabi and Bahrain share?

    1. I too managed to miss the story, I got quite a shock when I scrolled down through the round up!

      By the way, I have to say I found the headline “Belgium and France to share F1 race from 2013” a little disingenuous, it kind of suggested it was a done deal when in fact it is merely a (credible) rumour…

      1. France is returning when Grosjean has won in GP2, Bianchi is close to F1 and Pic is a top driver in GP2.

  11. Two DRS zones will be interesting. Particularly in qualifying. Monza is typically a low-downforce circuit, but the Curva Grandes, both Lesmos and the Parabolica are the sections of the circuit that do require downforce. I could see teams running higher downforce than they would usually to go faster in the corners, and then using the DRS to negate it along the straights.

    1. That’s basically what Jenson Button did with the help of the F-duct last year, and it clearly helped him!

      Also, wasn’t Alonso one of the slowest drivers in a straight line in 2010, yet his cornering speeds allowed him to win? Perhaps going all out for top speed at Monza is one of the easiest mistakes a team could make

      1. but last year Jenson could use the f-duct anywhere and on every lap during the race. Unlike DRS this year. so it’s best to go for a low downforce setup this year to avoid being destroyed in the race.

    2. i don’t believe the Curva Grande needs downforce at all.

    3. Certainly will be interesting. I’m just glad the FIA aren’t resting on their laurels and are pushing this idea as much as they can, for right or wrong.

      Given we have two independent zones that really makes jostling for position all the more exciting. Could see some strategic use of the DRS…drivers purposefully allowing themselves to be overtaken just to be within 1s for the next zone to try grab it back!

  12. I’d of thought the straight out of Lesmo and Ascari would be best, there not as long as the main straight so will act in only getting closer for an oppertunity

    1. But the idea here is to have two independent DRS zones. Montreal and Valencia had two DRS zones with one activation point; Monza will have two DRS zones, each with their own activation point. They need to be spaced out in order to give the system enough time to recognise that the cars are far enough apart or the second zone.

      1. I can see what there trying to do but just feel they should use the smaller straights. drivers already get a good enough tow down the main straight as it is where as theres less of an oppertunity on the other 2 a at the moment

      2. I am very relieved that they are using separate activation points. The impression I got in previous races with two zones was that it wasn’t done due to it being too complicated, which is a ridiculous idea.

  13. I still think the test should be in Spain as the race that will follow will also be there.A UK schedule won’t be bad but then arrange it in Donnington or in Brand Hatch.

    Two independent DRS zone will be interesting to see.

    1. I understand the critical factor was with Ferrari wanting testing pretty badly so they offered to supply the Mugello track they own at a discount rate (only running cost?) to make it less of a financial burden.

      1. Better than Catalunya definitely.

  14. I think it’ll be interesting to see who will risk the tallest 7th gear to maximize the DRS speed benefit, especially for the main straight.

    A tall 7th gear, plus a 1/2 second KERS burst at the start of the DRS zone might result in some of the fastest speeds ever before entering the braking zone(s).

    Two straights at even higher speeds over the race distance, combined with overtaking challenges, could result in even more of a torture test for brakes than is usual for Monza, I think.

    1. I doubt that, the engines are so rubbish they are rarely hitting 200MPH when not using DRS and only just with it. Beating Juan Pablo Montoyas record of 231MPH(or 371KPH) with a V10 will be unlikely.

      1. yeah, the engines are a pretty massive limiting factor. I’m guessing we’ll be lucky to see 350.

  15. Not looking forward to this. It’s going to be the biggest division between fast and slow this year.

  16. streetfightingman
    29th August 2011, 7:53

    ***?!

    After the DRS fail overtakes at Spa, Monza will be even worse! Push to pass indeed…

  17. PM but it brilliantly. Yet again people try to create a drama where there isn’t one and start shouting off when they don’t know the facts. It’s embarrassing.

  18. DRS made Spa a joke, if you had a marginally faster car than the chap in front, you would get past into Les Combes.

    Rosberg was a classic example – he got past Vettel without DRS (great move!). However, Rosberg was slightly slower than the cars behind and instead of them having to get a decent run and make a challenging move, they just drove around the outside.

    ***
    That’s the problem with DRS – it doesn’t create better racing, it just ensures that a faster car passes. Often far too easily and to the audience’s loss.
    ***

    1. Agree with you 100%

  19. Pretty interesting vid with Ted Kravitz, watch if you can. For those outside the UK, here is a youtube vid of it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVOP932h7wk

  20. Great for testing to be at Mugello, it will offer a new track to all the teams and drivers.

  21. The “Driver dies in drag race crash (Sky News)” link seems to link to the wrong article

Comments are closed.