F1 has detailed on the DRS zones, track limits for 2021 Bahrain GP, as the race is to take a sustainable step from 2022.
From the last year’s round at the end of 2020 season to 2021’s opener, nothing much has changed for Bahrain GP, apart from some maintenance work done. The FIA had released details of Romain Grosjean’s crash, but no immediate action was recommended.
And so, the circuit will see no change in 2021, but will do so in 2022 when it takes a step towards sustainability, to match F1’s net-zero carbon goal. The organisers are pushing towards solar power, a step similar to Saudi Arabia, who did so with its Formula E event.
The Phase 1 of the project will kick-off in the summer and will be completed well before 2022 Bahrain GP. The organisers state that in the first phase itself, they are to cover the energy requirements of a F1 weekend – that too with excess to spare.
“We are proud of the efforts by the Bahrain International Circuit to make the race more sustainable and their bigger plans for the coming years,” said Stefano Domenicali. “This is another great example of the steps being taken by the country under its leadership to use technology and innovation to advance its sustainability plans.
“It perfectly aligns to our own strategy to be Net Zero Carbon as a sport by 2030 and to improve our sustainability on and off the track.” At the same time, Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive of the Bahrain International Circuit added:
“Today’s commitment is an important part of our broader sustainability aims as a circuit and supports F1’s own target to be net carbon neutral by 2030. This initiative will not only make our F1 race a cleaner and greener event in the future, but will encourage other large-scale events to make the move to sustainable energy, and inspire sports fans to embrace change.”
Moving back to the 2021 Bahrain GP, the FIA released details of the three DRS zones – they are:
DRS 1: Detection zone – 50m before Turn 1; Activation zone – 23m after Turn 3
DRS 2: Detection zone – 10m before Turn 9; Activation zone – 50m after Turn 10
DRS 3: Detection zone – 110m before Turn 14; Activation zone – 170m after Turn 15
The four stewards, meanwhile, will be Tim Mayer, Emmanuele Pirro, Richard Norbury and Mazen Al-Hilli. Moving on to track limits, Michael Masi informed that they will not monitor Turn 4 this time, as they feel that the defining limits will be the artificial grass and the gravel trap in that location.
Amid the stream of announcements, F1 also named Zoom as its ‘Virtual Paddock’ partner in a new multi-year deal. Guests will be able to join in across the 21 races – from the expected 23 – in its bespoke virtual hospitality offerings, which includes live updates.
The partnership between F1 and Zoom also serves a unified purpose to limit travel of personnel, thereby helping in remote operations and lessening carbon emissions. Ben Pincus, Director of Commercial Partnerships, Formula 1, said:
“We’re delighted to expand our partnership with Zoom following our collaboration on the successful Virtual Paddock Club last year. Zoom will become the official unified communications platform of Formula 1, with its services expanding across the wider business. We are excited to continue our work with Zoom and to keep innovating together.”
At the same time, Janine Pelosi, Zoom CMO, added: “We are thrilled to continue and expand our collaboration with Formula 1 into a major multi-year partnership above and beyond past activities.
“While the 2020 season has shown that the Virtual Paddock Club offered an engaging VIP sports experience despite the limitations set by the global pandemic, this new season provides an opportunity for a seamless hybrid model including virtual and on-site activations where the situation allows – offering the best of both worlds for enterprises and their VIPs.
“We’re proud to partner with F1 and use our brand and technology to shape the future of sports events while also supporting organizations on their mission to become more sustainable.”
On a side note, F1 also revealed the new intro:
https://twitter.com/F1/status/1375083799487348737?s=20
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