How many times can DRS be used?

The device can only be used during a race after two racing laps have been completed, and when the pursuing car enters a designated "activation" zone defined by the FIA. This also includes having to wait 2 laps after a safety car restart.

How long can a driver use DRS?

Where rules are concerned, DRS usage is only allowed when the driver is within one second of the car ahead - even if the car is being lapped. Interestingly, DRS can be used at any time during practice and qualifying, but only within the set activation zones.

Why is DRS use limited?

The reason DRS is not available to use in all parts of the track is because the rear wing is there for a reason, and that is aerodynamics. This helps generate downforce that pins the car to the ground and keeps it from sliding or losing traction while cornering (when the lateral forces are acting on the car).

Why do some teams not use DRS?

The reason for this restriction is to ensure fairness and consistency during qualifying. All teams and drivers have the same opportunity to set fast lap times during qualifying, and allowing the use of DRS would give some teams and drivers an unfair advantage.

Who activates DRS in F1?

The attacking driver will manually activate DRS by pressing a steering wheel button – this can be arranged on the front or back of the steering wheel depending on driver preference.

The Strange Rules Behind DRS

Can the leader use DRS?

Who can use DRS? All drivers on the track, apart from the race leader, have DRS as an option in the race as long as they meet the conditions mentioned above. The race leader cannot benefit from DRS to defend their leading position unless a car, a lapped car, within a second of them is ahead.

Is F1 getting rid of DRS?

Now that F1's 2022 rules package has produced cars that can closely follow each other, the sport no longer needs the push-to-pass aid of the 2010s.

Why can't race leader use DRS?

Can a leader use DRS in F1? ' These zones are mostly located on the straights of the track. In addition, a driver can only activate the DRS in the zone if he is within one second of the car ahead of him. Hence, the race leader cannot use DRS unless he is behind a few cars who are getting lapped in a DRS zone.

What happens if you use DRS in a non DRS zone?

Obviously it's against the regulations but if a driver does use it in a non drs zone it can cause problems because use of drs increases top speed and braking without locking up wheels or flatspotting tyres can be a problem on tracks where the straights are short, for example, hungaroring.

How much mph does DRS add?

The FIA estimate the speed increase to be between 10–12 km/h (6.2–7.5 mph) by the end of the activation zone, while others, such as technical staff at racecar-engineering.com, cite a much lower figure of 4–5 km/h (2.5–3.1 mph). When the DRS is deactivated or closed, it increases downforce, giving better cornering.

How much faster is a car with DRS?

The way a DRS works is pretty simple: when activated, it opens up a flap on the rear wing of the car, which increases its downforce and reduces drag. This gives the cars more velocity on the straights but less grip in corners. Enabling DRS provides around 6.2-7.5 mph top-speed advantage to the car behind.

How much speed does DRS add?

Following its introduction in 2011, DRS has become a vital part of the sport. It stands for Drag Reduction System and is an adjustable part of the rear wing which, when opened, improves speed by 10-12 kmph.

What happens if the DRS is stuck open?

The possibility of a DRS failure can lead to drivers being shown the black flag with an orange disc if their rear wings get stuck open. If this happens, a driver would be required to return to the pits to allow the flap to be manually shut by mechanics and then not used again if it could not be repaired.

Can you only overtake in DRS zones?

Let's start with a few basic rules: Drivers cannot use DRS during the first two laps of a race or the first two laps following a safety car or restart. They must be within one second of the car they wish to overtake. The car to be overtaken must be within a designated DRS zone.

Can you use DRS everywhere?

In races, this is allowed when a driver is running within one second of a car ahead – even if this car is being lapped. In practice and qualifying, DRS can be used at will, but only within the set activation zones. Until 2013, drivers could use DRS at any point on track to reduce drag on a qualifying run.

Does Ferrari have DRS?

But the DRS can't be used freely during a race – there are several stipulations as to how drivers can use this extra weapon. Ferrari's Carlos Sainz opens his DRS at the Spanish Grand Prix.

Can the defending driver use DRS?

Cars can only activate their DRS when they're within a second of the car in front. Defending cars can only deploy DRS if there's a car in front of them, too. Once the gas pedal is lifted, DRS is deactivated, lowering the flap.

Why do f1 drivers weigh after a race?

Another reason for weighing a driver after the race is more in their self-interest, as this will show the level of weight lost during a race. This informs teams and physios how much fluid has been lost and how best to rehabilitate a driver to bring them back to full fitness in time for the next outing.

What happens if DRS gets stuck open F1?

The possibility of a DRS failure can lead to drivers being shown the black flag with an orange disc if their rear wings get stuck open. If this happens, a driver would be required to return to the pits to allow the flap to be manually shut by mechanics and then not used again if it could not be repaired.

Does Red Bull F1 have DRS?

Red Bull are finding advantages also from how much drag they shed when using DRS – another area where the RB19 has made gains over its predecessor. Comparing its end of straight speeds with its rivals in Jeddah, its advantage was small under non-DRS conditions, but dramatically greater when both used DRS.

What speed is the safety car in F1?

The Mercedes Safety Car has 730hp, adjustable suspension, a 0-62mph time of 3.2 seconds and a top speed of over 200mph. Aston Martin haven't revealed the Vantage's key figures, but it is a "track-focused" car that has been "adapted for the ultimate speed and handling to perform its important role in F1."

Who decides when DRS is enabled?

DRS zones are decided by the FIA ahead of the race weekend. Each track has a different amount of DRS zones depending on its track configuration. For example, Bahrain has three DRS zones, while Monaco has just one.

What are the new DRS rules?

DRS trials

The driver presses a button on the steering wheel, a flap opens on the rear wing, and they can gain speed and potentially overtake the car in front. Currently, DRS cannot be used on the first two laps of a race, or in the first two laps of either a standing or a rolling restart.

Why do F1 cars flash red?

Why is the flashing red light used during wet races? Quite simply, the light is there to alert drivers behind that a car is in front of them, like in a road car. Even light rain can be extremely difficult to drive in with all the spray flying up from the road as well as rain marks on the driver's helmet visor.