F1 Miami GP: FIA adjusts DRS to ease braking and aid attacks. The FIA has extended the DRS zone before Turn 11 in Miami by 75 meters to improve overtaking .

The FIA has extended the DRS zone before Turn 11 in Miami by 75 meters to make overtaking easier, moving the activation point to 30 meters after Turn 9. The change will help avoid heavy braking in low-grip areas off the racing line—a known issue in Miami—improving the effectiveness of attack maneuvers.

After last year’s difficulties in completing overtakes before the braking zone at Turn 11—where several drivers went long or made mistakes trying to brake late—the FIA decided to modify one of the three DRS zones in Miami to facilitate overtaking during this race weekend.

On the back straight leading to the hairpin at Turn 11—one of the best overtaking spots alongside the braking zone at Turn 17—the Federation informed teams that the DRS zone has been extended by 75 meters, moving the activation point forward.

Now, the DRS activation point is just 30 meters after Turn 9, and while 75 meters may not seem like much, on many circuits that extra length has been shown to make a difference in the effectiveness of the DRS, favoring overtakes.
There are three DRS zones in Miami: the first right after Turn 9, the second on the long straight heading to Turn 17, and the third on the start/finish straight. Only the DRS zone leading to Turn 11 has been modified; the other two remain unchanged.

The extension will make overtaking easier, especially during a sprint weekend, where drivers have only one-third of a race to battle for positions. Additionally, having more time with the DRS open could help drivers avoid having to force braking in parts of the track with less grip.

It’s worth noting that since the first edition, Miami has had a major issue: the track is quite dirty off the racing line, making overtakes more difficult. The resurfacing has helped reduce the problem, though it still persists.