Fast Five: DRS restriction threatens Red Bull's speed advantage, Alpine car not "perfect fit" for Gasly, and other big updates

DRS restriction threatens Red Bull's speed advantage

F1 is considering a plan to limit DRS use to races only, potentially impacting Red Bull the most due to their superior top-speed advantage this season. Red Bull has optimized their DRS for straight line speed, standing out among competitors. This advantage was evident at the Belgian Grand Prix, where Red Bull's DRS-activated speeds exceeded those of Mercedes. Even in wet conditions without DRS, Red Bull maintained a speed advantage. The proposal's timing isn't clear, but if implemented, it could particularly affect Red Bull's dominant performance.

Click here to read the full article by Lewis Larkam (crash.net)

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Alpine car not "perfect fit" for Gasly

Pierre Gasly acknowledges he still doesn't feel completely at ease driving Alpine's 2023 F1 car. Alpine's performance has fallen to sixth in the Constructors' Championship due to challenges from Aston Martin and McLaren, despite Gasly securing his first top-three finish. He admits to struggling to extract the maximum potential from the A523 and states the need for better balance and driving feel. Gasly points out that the car's operating window is narrower than rivals', making it tricky to optimize. He expects improvement after assessing the season's start during the break. 

Click here to read the full article by Taylor Powling (motorsportweek.com)

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Wolff's mid-season review

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Toto Wolff discusses both the positive and challenging aspects of Mercedes' 2023 F1 season. He talks about upgrades and gives credit to Hamilton and Russell for their ability to work together through various situations.

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De Vries gets behind the wheel of F2 car

Formula 2 driver Nyck de Vries, after being dropped by Red Bull's AlphaTauri F1 team due to a point-less 10-race stint, is set to return to the motorcar scene. Having impressed as a backup driver for Mercedes in 2022 and securing a ninth-place finish with Williams in the Italian Grand Prix, he was signed by AlphaTauri for the 2023 season. However, his F1 rookie campaign turned sour, with no points earned in 10 races, leading to his replacement by Daniel Ricciardo. Despite the setback, de Vries will participate in a demonstration of an MP Motorsport Formula 2 car at JACK's Racing Day in the Netherlands, known for its inclusivity in the racing world. Event organizers and fans are excited about his participation, considering his achievements in Formula 2 and Formula E.

Click here to read the full article by Fraser Watson (mirror.co.uk)

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Mercedes explain wait when dropping zeropod

Despite facing issues with the zeropods last season, Mercedes retained them for the current season as they couldn't find a better solution over winter. These minimal sidepods led to bouncing problems and reduced performance in 2022. Mercedes returned this year with the same design but struggled against Red Bull and Aston Martin. They eventually switched to a downwash concept, though Mike Elliott explained they hadn't initially believed it was an improvement. The team continues to adapt and evolve, introducing updated sidepods and gaining ground on Aston Martin in the Constructors' Championship. Elliott emphasizes the importance of hard work and seizing opportunities for improvement.

Click here to read the full article by Michelle Foster (planetf1.com)