What is DRS in Formula 1?

F1 races can be won or lost by taking advantage of the Drag Reduction System. But what is DRS in Formula 1 and how does it work?

Getting an edge in Formula 1 means building a car that can take advantage of every straight and corner a track might throw at it.

Teams are constantly trying to find ways to get quicker. But F1’s governing body also wants races to be entertaining, so they’ve built strategic advantages to encourage maximum drama.

One of the biggest is DRS.

F1 explained: What is DRS in Formula 1?

No doubt you’ve watched an F1 race and heard all about DRS. It stands for “Drag Reduction System” and it is an integral part of passing on track.

The rear wing of every Formula 1 car has an adjustable flap that can open up to allow air to flow through it more directly. That’s DRS.

Opening the flap up reduces the aerodynamic drag and allows the car to go faster in a straight line.

Estimates suggest the advantage of an open rear wing on a straight can allow an F1 car to travel up to seven miles per hour faster.

Going faster means having a greater chance of overtaking, which is why DRS is reserved for cars following closely to another driver.

Drivers cannot activate DRS unless they are timed within one second of the car ahead at a designated zone ahead of a DRS straight. At the end of the straight, it has to close back up.

Formula 1 introduced DRS in 2011 and it has been a feature ever since. Most tracks feature at least one DRS straight while some have two.

DRS cannot be activated in the first two laps of a race or a race restart after a safety car. It is not utilized if weather conditions are not deemed safe enough.