The DRS zone has been reworked and especially shortened in Qatar

To welcome the F1 For the third time in its history, the Qatar Grand Prix has made many changes this year. It is mainly the track that the organizers have tackled, one after having inaugurated their state-of-the-art paddock.

So the layout has been tweaked somewhat but not changed in form. For example, after last year's track limits headache, and the 51 infractions during the race, gravel traps have been placed at the exit of 8 of the 16 corners of the Losail circuit. Those affected are 1, 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 14 and 15.

Not forgetting the pyramid-shaped rumble strips, which were criticized last year by drivers who pointed out a “skateboard” effect when they rode over them. Those at turns 1, 2, 4, 10, 12, 13 and 14 have therefore been flattened for this third edition of the Qatar Grand Prix.

Almost 200 meters less DRS

The other “new feature”, and not the least, concerns the DRS zone since it has also undergone some retouching that could have an impact on the Sunday show. During the previous visit of F1 to Qatar, the drivers had the possibility of activating their mobile rear wing 130 meters after the exit of turn 16.

They will now have to wait 305 metres before they can use DRS on the start/finish straight, a reduction of 175 metres. It remains to be seen what impact this will have on overtaking on Sunday evening, as this is the only real attack zone on the Losail track, which only has one straight.

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