The FIA shares details of F1 Styrian GP track limits, the DRS zones plus circuit changes along with stewards name and PU elements.

With the double-header at Red Bull Ring, the F1 Styrian GP preview from FIA had all the details with regards to both the races, especially with the track limits, DRS zones and the circuit changes. Starting with the former, Turn 9-10 will be key for this weekend.

Track Limits:

Turns 9 Exit –

a) A lap time achieved during any practice session or the race by leaving the track and cutting behind the red and white kerb on the exit of Turn 9, will result in that lap time being invalidated by the stewards.

Turn 10 Exit –

a) A lap time achieved during any practice session or the race by leaving the track and cutting behind the red and white kerb on the exit of Turn 10, will result in that lap time and the immediately following lap time being invalidated by the stewards.

General – Turn 9 Exit, Turn 10 Exit –

a) Each time any car fails to negotiate Turn 9 Exit and/or Turn 10 Exit by using the track as described above, teams will be informed via the official messaging system.

b) On the third occasion of a driver failing to negotiate Turn 9 Exit and/or Turn 10 Exit by using the track as described above during the race, he will be shown a black and white flag, any further cutting will then be reported to the stewards.

c) In all cases detailed above, the driver must only re-join the track when it is safe to do so and without gaining a lasting advantage.

d) The above requirements will not automatically apply to any driver who is judged to have been forced off the track, each such case will be judged individually.

Moving onto the changes made at Red Bull Ring from 2020 F1 race to 2021, the FIA note that they have removed grass from Turn 2-3 and put gravel there. They have also removed the kerb at exit of Turn 6 and brought the gravel trap closer to the line.

Changes to the circuit –

  • Debris Fence has been added in a number of locations around the track.
  • The grass verge on the right-hand side between Turn 2 and Turn 3 has been reduced and replaced with gravel.
  • The vehicle opening guardrail on the right-hand side at Turn 5 has been realigned.
  • The second element (green/white) of the double kerb at the exit of Turn 6 has been removed and the gravel brought closer to the track edge.
  • The Race Control has been entirely upgraded.

Looking at the three DRS zones as per the FIA note, the first one’s detection zone will be 160m after Turn 1 and the activation being at 102m after Turn 1. The second one’s detection zone is 40m before Turn 3 and activation 100m after Turn 3.

The final DRS zone’s detection zone is 120m before the Turn 10 and activation 106m after Turn 10. Moving onto the four stewards, the team will be led by Dr. Gerd Ennser with Andrew Mallalieu, Emanuele Pirro and Walter Jobst.

With regards to the PU elements, every F1 driver is on their second Internal Combustion Engine, Turbo Charger and Motor Generator Unit – Heat. With regards to Motor Generator Unit – Kinetic, everyone is on their second apart from Alfa Romeo and Haas pair.

With regards to Energy Store it is a mixed group, with Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, McLaren, Aston Martin, Alpine, Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Haas and Williams on their first, while Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez & Pierre Gasly on second and Yuki Tsunoda on third.

It is similar pattern for Control Electronics, where Bottas, Perez, Gasly, Nikita Mazepin and Ferrari on their second, while Tsunoda on his third.

Here’s the FIA Race Directors’ note: https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2021%20Styrian%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Race%20Directors’%20Event%20Notes%20.pdf

Here’s the PU elements list: https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2021%20Styrian%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20PU%20elements%20used%20per%20driver%20up%20to%20now.pdf

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