Formula 1 is ready to return to Imola for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, which will host the second round of the 2021 Formula 1 season this week. The circuit returns to the racing calendar following a successful 2020 race which impressed fans and drivers alike. However, concerns over the lack of overtaking on the track have led to an increased DRS zone for the 2021 race.
One of the major concerns with the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola is that the track is not wide enough for overtaking. The race in 2020 saw little overtaking, and drivers were forced to depend on a solitary DRS zone on the track to make any passing moves. The lack of overtaking opportunities was made abundantly clear when AlphaTauri’s Daniil Kvyat could not overtake Daniel Ricciardo’s Renault, despite being in a faster car. The Australian frustrated the Russian and held on to a P3 finish. Lewis Hamilton took the checkered flag at the iconic Italian track.
There are going to be some minor adjustments to the DRS zone for the 2021 race. After analyzing the concerns over lack of overtaking at the track, the authorities for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola have decided to extend the length of the circuit’s solitary DRS zone.
Instead of last year’s DRS detection zone which was placed after Turn 18 (the second Rivazza), this season’s has been brought forward to the entrance of the first Rivazza, near Turn 17.
The length of the DRS zone has been extended as well. In 2020, the DRS zone began from the start/finish and ended at Turn 2, the Tamburello corner. For this season, the DRS zone at Imola will start from the pit lane entrance.
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