2018 Bahrain Grand Prix: pit straight DRS zone lengthened for the race in Sakhir. The move has ostensibly been taken in order to extend the amount of time drivers can use DRS.

The DRS zone along the pit straight at Sakhir has been lengthened for this year’s running of the Bahrain Grand Prix, as confirmed by the Formula 1’s official website earlier today. Two DRS zones have typically been in place at Sakhir, one located on the pit straight and the other on the support pit straight, located between Turns 10 and 11.

Ahead of the race weekend, the section between Turns 10 and 11, officially designated as the first zone, has not been altered, but the second zone has been extended by 100 metres, which means that the activation point is now located 170 metres after the exit of Turn 15, the small right-hand kink that leads onto the pit straight.

The move has ostensibly been taken in order to extend the amount of time drivers can use it and as a result increase the chances of overtaking into Turn 1. Three DRS zones were trialled for the first time at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, yet it had no discernible impact.