The FIA has shared details about F1 Belgian GP track limits along with DRS zones, stewards name and more.
The F1 brigade returns to hotly debated Spa-Francorchamps circuit this weekend for the Belgian GP. The recent death of Dilano van’t Hoff has once again brought the safety topic. There have been changes made to the track, but not specific to the crash as yet.
The FIA Race Directors’ note stated:
- Resurfacing of the run-off behind and after the kerb in Turn 2 on LHS.
- Rebuilding of the kerb in Turn 2 on LHS.
- Renewal of the grass verge from Turn 1 until Turn 2 on LHS.
- Renewal of the grass verge in Turn 5 on LHS.
- Renewal of the grass verge in Turn 8 on RHS.
- Renewal of the grass verge in Turn 9 LHS and between Turn 9 and Turn 10 on RHS.
- Renewal of the grass verge in Turn 14 on RHS.
In terms of the track limits, the white remains the notifying factor. As for the DRS zones, the first one’s detection zone is 240m before Turn 2 while activation is 230m after Turn 4. The second zone’s activation is 160m before Turn 18 while activation is 30m after Turn 19.
Looking at the FIA stewards, Tim Mayer will lead the team of Mathieu Remmerie, Derek Warwick and Loic Bacquelaine. The governing body also noted that the filming will continue for this weekend too, as they released details of tyre usage for the sprint weekend.
“In order to avoid the acknowledged unintended consequence whereby in certain situations at Sprint events it becomes attractive to run intermediate tyres on a dry track, the following amendment to Article 30.5.h of the Formula 1 Sporting Regulations is made. Consultation has occurred with the Commercial Rights Holder, Stewards and Teams. The agreement of the FIA, the Commercial Rights Holder and all Competitors has been obtained in accordance with Article 1.4.
“Accordingly, my Decision is that Article 30.5 h) iv) be modified to read as follows: Article 30.5h iv revised wording. In the period SQ3 of the sprint shootout, up to one set of dry weather tyres may be used, and this must only be a new set of the soft specification. Article 1.4 for ease of reference –
“Until 01 August 2023, for Competitions where a sprint session is scheduled, and in exceptional circumstances only, the FIA may implement temporary changes to Articles 30.5.h, 37.4, 39, 40.9, and 42 of these Sporting Regulations. Any such changes:
a) May only be made with the agreement of the FIA, the Commercial Rights Holder and at least eight (8) Competitors;
b) Must address unintended issues that have arisen as result of the changes to these Sporting Regulations approved by the WMSC in April 2023;
c) Must be solely intended to ensure sporting fairness or to avoid organisational issues;
d) May only apply at the Competition during which the matters in question arose; and
e) Will be communicated to the Competitors via the Competition Notes issued by the Race
Director.
Here’s the FIA Race Directors’ note: https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2023%20Belgian%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Race%20Director’s%20Event%20Notes.pdf