FIA adds over 100 metres to Monza’s longest DRS zone · RaceFans

The FIA has extended the DRS zone along the pit straight for this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix in a move which will likely make overtaking easier.

As has been the case for several years at Monza, there will be two DRS zones active during Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix.

The first stretches from the exit of the final corner, Alboreto, down to the reprofiled Rettifilo chicane, while the second sits along the long run from the exit of the second Lesmo up to the Ascari Chicane, which remains unchanged for this weekend.

In previous years, the activation point for the DRS zone along the pit straight has been placed at 115 metres beyond the timing line at the end of the lap along the grid itself. However, this weekend’s FIA event notes lists the DRS activation point at just 12 metres after the finish line – an extension of 103m over last year.

The move to extend the DRS zone in what is one of the few straights with the highest maximum speed on the entire F1 calendar runs in contrast to the FIA’s action at the recent Belgian Grand Prix, in which the governing body reduced the length of the first DRS zone exiting Raidillon and along the Kemmel Straight. While the reduction appeared to make overtaking more difficult, several drivers were still able to pull off passes into Les Combes during the grand prix.

The DRS zone along the pit straight was first added to Monza in 2013, becoming the circuit’s second zone alongside the one on the run to Ascari.

DRS will be removed from Formula 1 cars as part of the major technical regulations changes coming in 2026. However, multiple new concepts designed to assist overtaking will be introduced in its place, including actively adjusting aerodynamic parts and a ‘Manual Override Mode’ for the more powerful energy recovery system that will give drivers additional power above 290kph.

Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free

2024 Italian Grand Prix

Browse all 2024 Italian Grand Prix articles