Formula 1 race director Charlie Whiting has confirmed there will be three DRS zones for the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim next weekend, placing an additional zone on the main straight.

F1 returns to Hockenheim next Sunday after two years away, and will continue the trend seen at select races through 2018 by adding a third DRS zone to the circuit, up from two in 2016.

Whiting confirmed the change in his post-race debrief at Silverstone last Sunday, with the new zone coming on the main straight to accompany the previously-used zones between Turns 1 and 2, and Turns 5 and 6.

"[There will be] one extra on the pit straight, with one detection for the pit straight and the run from Turn 1 to Turn 2," Whiting said.

"Then the main one going down into Turn 6 will be a bit longer."

Three DRS zones have also been used for races in Australia, Canada, Austria and Great Britain in a bid to improve overtaking and allow for more on-track action.