Fernando Alonso fears DRS ineffective after banking decision

Alonso at Zandvoort — Photo: © LAT Images

Dutch Grand Prix

Alonso fears DRS will be ineffective at Zandvoort after banking decision

Overtaking is expected to be tough at Zandvoort

Ian Parkes & Sam Hall

Thursday 2 September 2021 18:34 Updated: 19:36

Fernando Alonso has conceded to fears DRS will be ineffective at the Dutch Grand Prix after it was decided not to allow its activation through the final banked corner.

The race returns to the calendar for the first time since 1985, with the track modified significantly since the last occasion it was used in F1.

Alonso feels the FIA opted not to set DRS before the banking due to the dangers it may pose.

“I think it [overtaking] is going to be tough, tough, very difficult," said Alonso.

"You need a big tyre advantage, I think, to go very close in the last corner or the last two or three corners.

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"I think the banking was there to also allow the cars to use DRS but we decided to put the DRS after the banking and that is probably too short in terms of distance until the first corner."

The start-finish straight at Zandvoort measures just under 700 metres, only 140m greater than at Spa Francorchamps, while the Dutch circuit's narrow entry into turn one will also hinder overtaking.

“To open the DRS before the banking and have all the possibility to go flat out there, maybe the last analysis said that it was dangerous and they didn’t allow it," added Alonso.

“I think it’s going to be interesting to see the cars running on that kind of banking.

“Obviously, Formula 1 cars are not made for this inclination on the corners in terms of floor touching or front wing or whatever. There are things that we will learn for the first time so let’s see.”

Perez unsure of Zandvoort sand

Zandvoort is situated on the Dutch coast, with a beach only a stone's throw from the main straight.

Red Bull driver Sergio Perez reported that although the track appeared to be in good condition on his walk, watching the safety car complete some exploratory running had painted a different picture.

“It looked pretty clean until the cars are running," said Perez. "Earlier I saw the safety car and when he gets close to the sand then it goes up. “We walked the track earlier and it looked clean so we will see once the cars are running and the wind is on. Things car change in that regard from every session.”

Of the chances for overtaking, Perez concurred with Alonso, adding: "I expect that Saturday will be very critical, very important.

"There are not that many places to overtake so I think as a driver we will enjoy it all the way to Saturday because Sunday, it will be very hard to overtake."