Magnussen backs F1’s move to add third DRS zone for Australian GP

Haas driver Kevin Magnussen believes Formula 1’s decision to add a third DRS zone to the Albert Park circuit will improve the season-opening Australian Grand Prix “a lot”. 

In the build up to this weekend's opening race of the 2018 season, The FIA announced the addition of a third DRS zone on the straight between Turns 12 and 13, in a bid to help improve the show and encourage overtaking. 

Just two overtakes were recorded around Melbourne at last year's race, and while the Albert Park street circuit is notoriously regarded as a difficult track to pass, F1 is keen to try and increase the wheel-to-wheel action. 

When asked by Crash.net if three DRS zones are too much, Magnussen replied: “No it’s still not going to be easy to pass here. It’s going to help a lot and I think it’s going to improve the race a lot. 

“At some tracks, they don’t need to put another zone, maybe they could just extend the zone. I don’t know, it’s not up to me but I think it’s good what they’ve done here. 

“I don’t remember any track where overtaking is too easy.”

The new zone will include a detection zone just before the fast left-right chicane at Turn 11 and 12 and adds to regular zones located on the start/finish straight and between Turn 2 and 3. 

It is the first time since the introduction of DRS to the sport in 2011 that three different zones will be available to drivers on a grand prix weekend.