Third DRS zone added for Mexican GP

The FIA has added a third drag reduction system (DRS) zone to the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit ahead of the 2019 Formula 1 Mexican Grand Prix.

A third DRS zone has been added on the straight between Turns 11 and 12 before the tight and twisty stadium section at the 4.304km Mexico City track, with the activation point coming 70 metres after Turn 9.

It will add to the two existing DRS zones on the main straight (T17-T1) and on the second straight between Turn 3 and Turn 4.

Mexico has become the latest venue to introduce a new DRS zone in the hope of boosting overtaking opportunities, after Singapore added a third DRS zone at the Marina Bay Street Circuit for this year’s race.

Lewis Hamilton, who can seal his sixth Formula 1 drivers’ title this weekend if he outscores Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas in Mexico, spoke of the difficulty of being able to follow and pass the Ferraris in Japan, despite the aid of DRS. 

“Of course I got in the tow of Sebastian [Vettel], the tow with DRS and maximum power and everything it’s incredible how quick they are,” he explained.

“It makes it very, very difficult, even if you’ve got the advantage of the tyre but I think it’s cool anyway, it provides interesting racing. I wish we could have had a closer race but it’s a difficult track to do so.”

The Mexican Grand Prix recently secured a new three-year deal to continue hosting grand prix racing until the end of 2022.