Before the first sprint weekend in Imola, the FIA announced one track change related to the detection point for the only DRS zone that has been moved backwards to discourage tactics using the DRS we saw in the first two races of the season.
Drivers in close combat want to be behind the driver they are fighting at the DRS detection point to be able to use a DRS that reduces air resistance and delivers higher top speed on the straights.
Positioning the detection point in the braking zone allows drivers to brake a little earlier, without too much loss of laptime, in order to be behind the driver they are fighting at the detection point and thus have the option of using the DRS.
This was evident in the first race in Bahrain, where the detection point is in the braking zone for the first corner, and in the second race in Saudi Arabia, where the detection point is in the braking zone for the last corner, resulting in Leclerc and Verstappen playing tactical games.
Last year, the detection point for the only DRS zone in Imola was 20 meters before Turn 17, ie in the braking zone for that turn, and the FIA decided to move the detection point for this year to 385 meters before Turn 17.
This will make it more difficult for drivers to play games at the detection point, as they will lose a lot more time in the event of intentional braking before that point than last year when the point was in the braking zone.
The DRS activation point is still 60 meters before Turn 19.
AUTODROMO ENZO E DINO FERRARI – 2022
2022 Emilia Romagna GP Imola track map DRS zone change Data FIA Edited by MAXF1-net
