John N
Drag is the enemy of speed. The more drag you overcome, the quicker you can go. So how do you reduce drag? By covering your car in special ‘drag reducing’ paint? Well, not quite. Drag reducing design elements are not to be seen anywhere on the actual car body but instead sit located underneath the car at each end of the F1 car’s undertray. The DRS system consists of a small flap that extends out from either side of the car just ahead of the rear tires. When open these ‘flaps’ create a slot that decreases drag by allowing air to slip between them and the wing mounted behind.
Drag Reduction System also known as DRS is a form of driver – adjustable bodywork aimed at reducing aerodynamics drag in order to increase acceleration and top speed. The primary purpose of a DRS is to make overtaking easier. It is the adjustable rear wing of the car which flaps open and gives the car the turbulent air speed advantage of about 10-12 km/hr.
A Formula one car wing consists of horizontal elements including the main plane and a flap. When activated, the DRS allows the wing flaps to lift a maximum of 50mm to reduce drag, resulting in a less downforce . A lesser downforce means faster acceleration and a higher top speed.
The effectiveness of DRS is dependent on the following:
- The track surface
- The length of each DRS zone
- The maximum downforce of each circuit
- The position of the detection point
- The track characteristics at the end of the DRS zone.
What is the DRS Zone?
A DRS zone is an overtaking zone where drivers are allowed to deploy the DRS if they’re trailing and within 1 second of the car ahead. It is marked by a line on the track to signal the start of the zone, called the detection zone. It is followed by a second line called the activation point.
Who Activates the DRS?
The detection of the zone is fully automated via sensors on the car. However, the actual deployment is completed manually by the driver when a button on the steering wheel is activated. A light on the steering wheel notifies the driver that the DRS is activated. The system deactivates the moment the drive applies the brakes.
Formula 1 DRS Regulations
Use of DRS is restricted by the F1 rules; it is permitted only when both:
- The following car is within one second of the car to be overtaken, which may be a car being lapped. The FIA may alter this parameter, race by race.
- The following car is in an overtaking zone as defined by the FIA before the race (commonly known as the DRS zone).
- The system may not be activated on the first two laps after the race start, restart, or a safety car deployment, for example, as was the case of the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix, during which no driver could have activated DRS because the entire race took place behind a safety car, before being terminated due to bad weather.
- The system cannot be used by the defending driver, unless within one second of another car in front.
- The system may not be enabled if racing conditions are deemed dangerous by the race director, such as rain, as was the case at the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix.
Formula One cars have always been the most technologically advanced and innovative racing cars. Today’s F1 is not just about speed, it’s also about cutting-edge technology and innovation. And all of these innovations are not just put in to attract attention, but they are heavily researched, tested and proven on professional race tracks across the globe before their introduction to F1. The drag reduction system is a prime example of this forward-thinking approach that has provided F1 engineers with a new way to make a 1.6 tonne car go faster for a fraction of the cost.
