What is DRS in F1? Drag Reduction System explained

Have you just started watching Formula 1 and are wondering 'what exactly is DRS'?

DRS stands for drag reduction system, a rear wing device introduced in F1 ahead of the 2011 season.

Fundamentally it's an overtaking aid, one that gives the attacking car more of a chance of completing a successful overtake.

But it's also used throughout the grand prix weekend and it being dropped for the 2026 cars has been a major talking point, given it will have been used for 15 seasons and caused plenty of controversy along the way.

How does it work?

As its name suggests, DRS reduces the drag of a car when in a straight line, increasing the potential straightline speed.

It works by the driver pressing the DRS button on their steering wheel in the allotted DRS zones on the circuit. That button press sends a signal to the FIA-standardised ECU (electronic control unit) within the power unit of the car.

The ECU relays the signal to the DRS actuator, situated in the middle of the rear wing, which then reduces the angle of the upper rear wing element (or flap) which allows more air to pass through it, rather than over it, reducing the drag and increasing the speed.

It also allows the engine to achieve higher revs at the end of the straight.

The driver either presses the button again to switch it 'off' or it does so automatically when the driver presses the brake pedal, with the DRS actuator returning the element to its original angle.

When can a driver use it?

During practice and qualifying drivers can use unlimited DRS within the allotted zones on the circuit - something dictated before each race weekend.

During the grand prix drivers can use DRS from lap two within the DRS zones when they're within one second of the car ahead.

There are separate DRS detection points before the activation zone, those points are used to determine if a driver will have DRS for the upcoming zone.

Why is it controversial?

DRS was introduced in 2011 to increase overtaking, as while the 2010 season was a classic in terms of close inter-team competition, the individual races were often fairly processional.

DRS has been divisive since its introduction with some feeling it only creates artificial 'drive-by' overtakes which detracts from the art of overtaking. Others believe it's saved F1 from having more processional races in recent years.

There have been cases where the DRS zones have been too powerful too and races such as the Belgian GP have played around with the length of the DRS zone on the Kemmel Straight to try and combat this.

There's also been an increase in the number of DRS zones per circuit with Australian Grand Prix venue Melbourne now featuring four DRS zones.

DRS will be used for the final time in 2025 as it's been replaced in the 2026 regulations by a different kind of overtaking aid.