Formula 1 drivers will be allowed to make more use of their Drag Reduction Systems at the Chinese Grand Prix this year.
The FIA has extended one of the two zones in which drivers may activate DRS at the Shanghai International Circuit.
The zone that runs along the back straight has been extended by 75 metres. This has been done by moving the activation point closer to the exit of turn 13. This straight is one of the longest on the calendar, measuring 1,170 metres, and leads into a sharp right-hand hairpin, turn 14.
The detection point for this zone remains at turn 12. The other DRS zone is unchanged, with a detection point 35 metres before the final corner and activation point 98 metres after it.
The change means the DRS zone is now longer than it was for F1’s last race at the circuit before the Covid-19 pandemic in 2019. That was prior to the 2022 technical regulations change which was intended to allow cars to race together more closely.
The Shanghai track is hosting its second sprint event this year. Formula One Management says it selects circuits that have great overtaking potential for sprint races. Extending the DRS zone will make it easier for drivers to pass.
The FIA confirmed other changes to the track since last year. Its entire 5.451-kilometre length has been resurfaced ahead of this weekend.
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New ‘combination’ kerbs have been added at the apexes of turns two, six, 10, 11 and 16. In order to make the track boundaries clearer, blue lines have been painted at turns six, nine, 10, 14 and 16, and the white line has been repositioned at turns 10 and 16.
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2025 Chinese Grand Prix
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