Both the Baku sprint and main event were notable for their lack of passing compared to previous events on the track.

The FIA ​​reserves the right to adjust the activation points of the DRS zones, usually based on data collected at the venue’s last race and previous races of the season.

The drivers had already highlighted their concerns about the Baku 100m sprint at a briefing with race director Niels Wittich on Friday, but no changes were made and following the lack of overtaking in the sprint, Grand Prix didn’t fix that either.

Lewis Hamilton, who was heard chasing Carlos Sainz in Sunday’s race, was at one point demanding more power from his team and was one of many drivers who felt the DRS zone wasn’t long enough.

“No problem whatsoever, but I just wanted more power,” Hamilton said. “Drivers always want more power.

“And I think at the end of the day they cut the DRS straight this year, I’m not quite sure why they did that. We’ve been doing great racing where the DRS is.

“By the time you turn on DRS, it’s too late. Did you overtake a lot today?”

Alex Albon is another who thinks the start of the activation point should remain where it is in 2022.

“You saw, there wasn’t much overtaking, the DRS was too short,” said the Williams driver.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W14

Photography: Andy Horn / motorsport pictures

“I think they showed last year that it was in a good position and they lowered it by 100 (metres). You can maybe go another 100.

“The drivers did talk about that in Friday’s driver briefing. The cars, with the load they’re getting harder to keep up now, it’s not as good as it used to be.

“Then the slipstream isn’t as good as the previous year’s car. That’s why you’re seeing this DRS train.”

Lando Norris, who trailed late Esteban Ocon and Nico Hulkenberg for much of the race and was unable to take advantage of his newer tires, was another frustrated by the shorter DRS zone.

“It’s almost impossible to overtake, especially at our straight-line speed,” he said.

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“How short the DRS zone is now compared to last year. I try to keep up with the car in front.

“I just overused the tires because we were not on the same level.”

Asked whether shorter DRS zones would make sense, he added: “No, there isn’t. All drivers questioned in driver briefings.”

Norris’ McLaren boss Andrea Stella agreed the zone could be longer, while acknowledging the bigger picture of reducing slipstream effects highlighted by Albon.

“It definitely takes away a little bit of your advantage when braking,” said the Italian.

Lando Norris, McLaren MCL60

Photography: Zak Mauger / motorsport pictures

“If you’re 5-10 meters closer, you can try to attack, which was not possible for us today throughout the game. So for us it will definitely be welcome.

“I think what the FIA ​​and F1 have to look at carefully is that this year it looks like overtaking is generally harder, maybe not only because of DRS, but also because of the slightly less slipstream effect.

“The suction behind the car in front seems to be a little less than usual, but that probably depends on a variety of factors.”

He defended the FIA’s decision to cut the Baku district, though agreeing that his own driver found it difficult to overtake Alpine sporting director Alan Perlman.

“You have to be very careful when you talk about things like this and who you’re asking,” he said.

“Because if you’re in front, you don’t need any DRS zone. If you have a faster car than the qualifying car, you need a longer DRS zone.

“So I think these things are best left to the FIA ​​to judge based on their figures. That’s of course what happened.

“They have a performance department and they look at things. I think they look back at last year and think it was a little bit easier to overtake. That’s why they shortened it.”