Formula One race director Charlie Whiting has suggested that additional Drag Reduction System zones may be implemented in future races.
The system – which opens a slot in the rear wing to reduce air resistance and increase top speed – was introduced back in 2011 in a bid to increase overtaking and normally features a maximum of two DRS activation zones.
In Melbourne, however, the number of activation zones increased from two to three as organisers sought to find a way of increasing the number of overtakes at the Albert Park circuit.
Added to the usual DRS activation zones on the start/finish straight and on the straight between turns two and three, a third activation zone was included after turns eleven and twelve.
Most notably, the additional DRS zone was utilised in helping local favourite Daniel Ricciardo find a way past Nico Hulkenberg in the early stages of the race.
Speaking ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, Whiting suggested that creating additional DRS zones would be done on a circuit-by-circuit basis.
“We are looking at optimising what can be done with the DRS zones,” Whiting said. “This is not an ideal circuit for that [overtaking], with the two DRS zones that we have that are not particularly effective.
“We thought as there is an opportunity to do something on that stretch between Turns 12 and 13 and if a driver can get a little closer he may get another detection at Turn 14 and use it down the start straight.
“It was to offer a little something else here but we will try to do something more effective at other tracks where there is more opportunity to try to do that.”
It is yet to be confirmed if there will be an increase in the number of DRS activation zones for the next race on the calendar, the Bahrain Grand Prix, which has traditionally not struggled for overtaking opportunities.
