Alex Albon criticises short DRS zone at Belgian GP amid overtaking concerns from drivers

Williams Formula 1 driver Alex Albon has lamented the “short” DRS zone at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, claiming that it could lead to a processional race.

Albon is set to start the Belgian Grand Prix from fifth place on the grid tomorrow, and he is keen to use clean air to try to retain the position. After starting and finishing the sprint race in 16th, he explained that a DRS train is likely on Sunday.

“Honestly, I think our race pace is strong. It’s hard to know because I’ve been in a DRS train the whole race this morning, but my race pace was good on Friday,” the 29-year-old explained to Motorsport.com and other media. “I think we’ll be okay, we just need to get some clear air and I hope maybe the cars can clear off and I can do my race.

“I hope for you guys [there will be more overtaking tomorrow], I think the DRS zone is too short. I feel like we had this issue last year where they haven’t changed the DRS zone, so unfortunately you’re not getting any side-by-side action down into Turn 5.”

Racing Bulls drivers Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar also commented on the DRS zone at Spa-Francorchamps and discussed whether they felt it should be altered. 

“I mean, I would have hoped for a DRS every straight, because honestly there was no way I was overtaking that car. So, yeah, I agree,” Hadjar commented when he was told about Albon’s remarks.

Lawson noted the challenges of overtaking at the iconic circuit, claiming that it’s “very hard” to make passes in dry weather.

Alex Albon, Williams

Photo by: Erik Junius

“If it’s dry, it’s very hard to overtake here,” the New Zealander said. “It depends on what downforce level other cars are running, honestly, so it’s whether they compromise today or not.”

He added: “I think Formula 1 is, at the moment, it’s more about how close the sport is, how close the teams are, how close everybody is. You look at qualifying today, it’s all one and a half tenths puts us from P9 to P5, and then at Ferrari and at Red Bull it’s only two tenths up from that, so it’s just really close.

“You need a clear-paced advantage to overtake a car, and when everyone’s doing the same lap times, you can’t really overtake. It’s good, because the sport’s close, but it makes the racing really hard.”

When asked if the DRS zone makes it worse, he said, “I mean, it makes it easy to overtake, but when everyone’s doing the same thing, it’s not doing enough, let’s say.”

Photos from Belgian GP – Sprint and Qualifying