FIA confirms Canada DRS zone

07/06/2012

The FIA has confirmed that there will be one DRS zone at this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix.

Unlike 2011, when there were two activation zones - the first on the straight leading to final chicane and the second on the pit straight - this year DRS can only be activated during the race on the straight leading to the final chicane, with the detection zone just after the hairpin (Turn 11)

Although there have been no physical changes to the circuit, other than Bernie Ecclestone calling for a significant upgrade if a new contract is to be agreed, all kerbs and lines painted around and on the track are to painted with an FIA-approved non-slip paint.

Furthermore, the guardrail on the driver's left before and after turn 10 has been replaced by walls, as in other locations and new debris fences have been fitted on top of these new walls.

A number of guardrail posts have been renewed, while a gate will be provided in the pit wall to allow the teams to remove all their equipment from the grid more quickly and without having to take everything to the pit exit.

The stewards include Martin Donnelly, who last officiated at last year's Korean Grand Prix. Donnelly, who raced in F1 for Arrows and Lotus, was a star of junior racing categories in the 1980s before making his grand prix debut with Arrows at the 1989 French GP, substituting for Derek Warwick. He was offered a race drive at Lotus alongside Warwick for 1990 and started 12 races, finishing a best of 7th at the Hungarian GP, before suspension failure caused a huge accident in practice for the Spanish GP at Jerez, that ended his top-line driving career. Despite the serious multiple injuries he suffered, Donnelly recovered sufficiently to race competitively in national events. He now runs the Donnelly Track Academy in Norfolk and has held a number of racing team management positions.

The Ulsterman is joined by FIA Vice President, Jose Abed, and Gerd Ennser, a member of the DMSB's Executive Committee for Automobile Sport, Formula One and DTM steward.

To check out the official circuit map, click here.