Third DRS zone scrapped for Silverstone

This weekend’s British Grand Prix will feature just two DRS zones after the third was scrapped ahead of this year’s event.

In addition to DRS zones down the Hangar and Wellington Straights, last year the race also featured a zone at the beginning of the lap.

That extended down the front straight, through the opening two corners, and up to the braking zone at Turn 3.

Both Romain Grosjean and Marcus Ericsson both crashing out while attempting to take Abbey with DRS open, while Lewis Hamilton was critical of it at the time.

Meanwhile, then race director Charlie Whiting was somewhat ambivalent, suggesting it was the driver’s choice whether or not to use DRS through the otherwise flat out right hander.

However, 12 months on the zone has been removed, leaving just the drags down Wellington Straight into Brooklands, and the run up Hangar Straight into Stowe as DRS zones.

Other changes for this year include new tarmac, with the entire circuit having been resurfaced twice since last year’s event.

There are also new kerbs in places and the gravel trap at Luffield has been moved closer to the racing surface.

The British Grand Prix begins with two practice sessions on Friday, the first commencing at 1900 AEST.