While Hockenheim may not be the circuit it once was, the FIA has still found space for three DRS zones for the third straight Grand Prix this weekend in Germany.
Following on from Austria and the controversial third zone at Silverstone, the famous circuit will see the three straights at the start of the now 16-year-old layout all see the rear wing flap available.
The short pit-straight before the high-speed Nordkurve at Turn 1, the longer sprint onto the Ostkurve at Turn 2 and then down the long, curved straight to the hairpin at Turn 6.
With Hockenheim only hosting Formula 1 bi-annually, this will be the first time the current car designs will take on the technical track, characterised by the main overtaking opportunity at the hairpin and the famous Stadium section.
The extra downforce could well lead to a Silverstone-style scenario where the first corner is almost if not flat-out with DRS on the approach, while the sweeping Mobilkurve which enters the Stadium will also be a great corner to watch.
Despite the trend of more zones being included this year, however, FIA race director Charlie Whiting admits that in the case of the third zone through Abbey last time out in Britain, it actually wasn’t effective.
“The idea was that drivers might get a little bit closer than they would have done otherwise and therefore be in a better position to attack on the straights between Turns 5 and 6,” he said.
“I don’t think it actually helped.”
