FIA confirms Spa DRS zone

29/08/2012

The FIA has confirmed that the DRS detection zone at Spa this weekend will be on the downhill run to Eau Rouge with activation on the Kemmel Straight leading up to Les Combes, the same as in 2011.

Changes to the circuit ahead of this year's race see the series of drains and connecting gullies on the right between Turns 9 (Malmedy) and 10 (Pouhon) re-worked in order to make them flat and level with the surrounding verges.

Furthermore, a section of artificial grass two metres wide has been laid behind the painted kerb on the right between Turns 10 and 11, while an opening has been provided in the guardrail on the right of the run-off area around the outside of turn 9.

All white lines that border the track will be painted with FIA approved, skid-resistant paint and a debris fence has been installed in the guardrail and wall on the right of the pit entry.

The stewards this weekend include Eliseo Salazar, who will forever be remembered for his 'altercation' with Nelson Piquet at Hockenheim in 1982.

The Chilean competed in F1 between 1981 and 1983, driving for March, Ensign, ATS and RAM. In the late 80s he raced in Sportscars as a works drivers for the Jaguar team. He subsequently returned to open-wheel racing in America, taking an IRL victory at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and finishing on the podium in the Indy 500. He has the distinction of competing in the Monaco Grand Prix, the Indy 500, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Daytona and the Dakar Rally, and recently added a WRC appearance after competing in the 2012 Rally Argentina.

Salazar is joined by Garry Connelly, Deputy President, FIA Institute, Australian Institute of Motor sport Safety, F1 and WTCC Steward and World Motor Sport Council member, and Steven Chopping, former Vice-President of the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS), Chairman CAMS Judicial Advisory Committee, Permanent Chairman of the Stewards Panel for the V8 Supercar Championship.

To check out the official circuit map, click here.

To experience a lap of Spa, click here