F1 DRS Explained: What is Drag Reduction System and how does it work?

Verstappen and Leclerc, Hungary 2022 — Photo: © LAT Images

F1 Explained

F1 DRS Explained: What is Drag Reduction System and how does it work?

DRS has been a feature in F1 since 2011

Sam Hall

Thursday 11 January 2024 03:57 Updated: 22:48

The Drag Reduction System (DRS) has been a huge part of F1 since being introduced in 2011 as a way to increase overtaking, in an attempt to make the sport more entertaining.

F1 cars are notorious for pumping out huge plumes of disturbed air in their wake, something that makes it inherently difficult for drivers to follow and get into a position to make a pass.

In a bid to up the entertainment and boost overtaking - and after a failed initial attempt at allowing drivers to alter their front wing angle during a race - DRS was introduced.

So what is DRS in F1?

Okay, time to explain exactly what it is and what it does - it should help when you hear it mentioned during races.

DRS is a device fixed to the upper element of the rear wing of F1 cars.

The usage of this has varied through the years, but the current regulations allow drivers to activate the system in designated zones at any time during practice and race sessions.

When in these zones, the driver can lift the rear wing flap to reduce drag and increase their top speed in order to achieve an improved lap time.

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During the race, DRS can only be activated if a driver follows a rival through the preceding detection zone with a margin of less than one second.

When can an F1 driver use DRS?

The F1 Commission agreed that drivers can activate DRS just one lap after the race begins, rather than two, during the 2024 season onwards.

And, as mentioned above, drivers can only use DRS during a race when they are less than a second behind the preceding driver, while in other sessions, it can be used at any time.

The exception to this comes when yellow flags, a virtual safety car, or a full safety car are deployed. At these times, the use of the system is prohibited.

This is also the case when red flags are shown.

The number of DRS zones at tracks also varies from one to four, with Monaco featuring just one DRS region and Albert Park in Australia having four.

How is DRS activated?

DRS is activated by pressing a button on the steering wheel. The system is only armed when a driver breaks a detection zone within one second of the preceding car.

How much faster is an F1 car with DRS activated?

There is no exact answer to this, but, on average, the top speed of a car increases by around 6.2-7.5mph.

Is there a limit on how often drivers can use DRS?

No, there is not. So long as a driver has met the requirements to activate the system, they could use it in every zone and on every lap of the season.

Has DRS actually helped overtaking in F1?

Yes. In 2010, the last year without DRS, there were, on average, 23.8 overtakes per race. In 2011, this almost doubled to 43.2.

Overtaking has more recently also been aided by changes to the technical regulations, with numbers down on this early benchmark but still high at 35.6.