Contemporary F1 fans are well aware of DRS or Drag Reduction System in modern F1 cars. As the name suggests, it helps a driver unlock extra 12 miles per hour of speed in designated zones to assist them in overtaking the rival driver at the front. DRS is a driver-controlled device, to facilitate closer battles and wheel-to-wheel racing. It is simply a flap in the rear wing that opens up to create a space in the rear wing. This results in reducing drag and increasing downforce and speed.
Though simple and beneficial as it sounds, it has been a controversial addition to the Formula 1 car ever since its inclusion in 2011. It is regulated by a heavy set of rules. For example, a driver can only activate DRS on designated straights when the car ahead is under a second gap. Moreover, it is not allowed in the first two laps of the race, or after restarts or safety car zone. Also, FIA race director officials can disable DRS at their discretion if conditions are deemed to be unsafe.
Typically, the driver tries and keep the gap ahead under one second and waits till the DRS zone arrives. Then it’s more or less a cakewalk with slipstream and additional speed due to low aerodynamic drag assisted by DRS. However, for this very reason, it is highly criticized as well. Pre-DRS era drivers often advocate against DRS as it undermines the classic overtaking battles.
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DRS is all set to stay in the near future: FIA
F1 legend Sebastian Vettel famously laid down his opinions against DRS last year. “I’m only a bit cautious for the DRS because it was brought in as an assistance to help overtaking, but now it feels a bit like it’s the only thing that allows you to overtake at times,” said former F1 driver. Though FIA is constantly making efforts to encourage wheel-to-wheel racing, there seems no end to the DRS era any soon.
FIA will lay down the next overhaul in F1 rules next year. Fans have been eagerly waiting for an update on the highly-contentious DRS system. Recently, FIA’s single-seater director Tombazi gave a much-anticipated update on the same. “In an ideal world, it is conceivable to remove DRS, but in the short term it will not happen because otherwise overtaking would be very difficult,” said Tombazi.
“We are no longer in the ’80s when simulations were not so advanced and the differences between one car and the next were great. With the current level of technology, of science, removing the DRS would be a risk for the sport,” added the Greek Engineer.
Tell us your opinions on the same. Do you want to see races with classic old-fashioned overtaking without DRS as Sebastian Vettel suggested? Comment below.
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