Alonso fears DRS will be ineffective at Zandvoort after banking decision
Alonso fears DRS will be ineffective at Zandvoort after banking decision
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.
"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."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 team announce SHOCK signing weeks after rival departure
- 11 minutes ago
Former team boss quizzed on role in Newey's Red Bull exit
- 1 hour ago
RB reveal STRIKING new livery ahead of Miami GP
- 2 hours ago
EXCLUSIVE: Insider claims F1 Academy and W Series couldn't co-exist
- 3 hours ago
Wolff delivers big verdict on Hamilton behaviour
- Today 18:57
Red Bull partner reveals HUGE F1 2026 entry details
- Today 17:57
Related news
Mercedes chief lifts lid on Hamilton qualifying struggle
Zandvoort to be EXTENDED in 2024 amid rising success of the Dutch Grand Prix
Verstappen on course for ANOTHER record as Russell suffers worst Mercedes result ever
A-list celebrity photo with Sky Sports F1 pundit gets ROYAL approval
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860