Lewis Hamilton criticised Formula 1 teams who did not support the addition of an extra Drs Zone for this year’s Singapore Grand Prix.
The layout of the Marina Bay Street Circuit has been altered this year following the removal of four corners in the final sector which has created a longer straight approaching turn 16. Hamilton praised the alteration to the track and the fresh surface which has been laid in places.
“The changes to the track have been great,” said the four-times winner of the Singapore Grand Prix. “I think they have really opened up the circuit to be even greater than it was before.
“The change they’ve done with the surface, the new Tarmac that they’ve put down, has made it so much more enjoyable to drive.”
However Hamilton and other drivers said an extra DRS zone should have been added to the new straight, in addition to the three already in place elsewhere on the track, to make it easier for drivers to pass.
“I don’t think at the moment there’ll be more overtaking. Maybe there’ll be slightly better overtaking into seven, just because the track is better through that first couple of corners. But I think we need DRS in that new last section.”
The FIA chose not to add a Fourth Drs Zone at this point on the circuit after canvassing the views of teams. “All the drivers, we all requested it from the FIA,” said Hamilton. “The FIA asked all the teams and there’s a couple of teams that turned it down.
“So in the drivers’ briefing we’ll try to bring it up. But the teams should be for more racing, not against it. It’s interesting to have a few teams that are against it. But we’ll discuss it and try.”
Sergio Perez said yesterday the Grand Prix Drivers Association was pushing for an extra DRS zone “because we feel like it can be improved for racing.”
However Esteban Ocon believes the FIA was reluctant to add a zone which would include the flat-out left-hand kink at turn 15. “The FIA is concerned about safety in that little left kink, I think,” he said. “I reckon personally, and the other drivers too, that it’s not going to be an issue.”
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