Vettel: Austrian GP could resemble Mario Kart

Vettel: Austrian GP could resemble Mario Kart

Originally written by Joas van Wingerden. This version is a translation.

Friday 29 June 2018 13:02

Sebastian Vettel is concerned that the addition of a third DRS zone at the Austrian Grand Prix will lead to artificial racing more akin to Mario Kart than the best Formula 1 can offer. Three consecutive straight sections at the Red Bull Ring have been designated as DRS zones.

Drivers will be able to operate their DRS on the pit straight, run to turn two and then section between turns three and four.

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A trio of DRS zones were also implemented in Austria and Canada this season, although neither race was particularly packed with on-track manoeuvring and fears over a lack of excitement have prompted a change in aerodynamic rules for the 2019 season.

Vettel has already spoken out against the proposed changes to front-wing designs, and is also sceptical that making almost half the track available to DRS activation will result in a thriller in Spielberg.

"I'm a bit puzzled on this," Vettel told reporters.

"We've had in the past a race that is boring and it's 'F1 is a disaster', we have a race where it's exciting and it's 'Formula 1 is great and healthy and it's never been [this] good.'.

"But I don't know if it's a solution to put DRS zones.

"I mean don't get me wrong there's maybe a lot of people that like the idea of Mario Kart including myself, I played it when I was young, then again I think it could get artificial."