Drag reduction system

Last updated

DRS in open (top) and closed (bottom) positions on a Red Bull RB7 in 2011 RB7 adjustable rear wing.jpg
DRS in open (top) and closed (bottom) positions on a Red Bull RB7 in 2011

In motor racing, the drag reduction system (DRS) is a form of driver-adjustable bodywork aimed at reducing aerodynamic drag in order to increase top speed and promote overtaking. It is an adjustable rear wing of the car, which moves in response to driver commands. [1] DRS often comes with conditions, such as the requirement in Formula 1 that the pursuing car must be within one second (when both cars cross the detection point) for DRS to be activated.

Contents

DRS was introduced in Formula One in 2011 and is planned to used until the 2025 season. The use of DRS is an exception to the rule banning any moving parts whose primary purpose is to affect the aerodynamics of the car. The system is also used in the Formula Renault 3.5 from 2012 until it folded in 2017, [2] Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters since 2013, [3] Super Formula since 2014, GP2 Series later FIA Formula 2 Championship since 2015, GP3 Series later FIA Formula 3 Championship since 2017. An adjustable wing was also used by the Nissan DeltaWing at the 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans, although with free usage.

DRS is set to be removed in Formula One for the 2026 season, as it will be replaced with an "active aerodynamics" system under the new 2026 regulations. [4]

Formula One

In Formula One, the DRS opens an adjustable flap on the rear wing of the car, in order to reduce drag, thus giving a pursuing car an overtaking advantage over the car in front. 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, [5] while others, such as technical staff at racecar-engineering.com, [6] 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.

Between 2011 and 2023, the device could only be used during a race after two racing laps had been completed, and when the pursuing car entered a designated "activation" zone defined by the FIA. This also included having to wait 2 laps after a safety car restart. In 2024 the rule was changed and now the device can be used during a race after only one racing lap after the race start or a safety car restart has been completed. [7]

In 2011, the FIA increased the number of DRS zones to two on some circuits featuring multiple long straights. In Valencia and in Montreal, two zones were endorsed on consecutive long straights, while in Monza and in Buddh, two zones were created on separate parts of the circuit. Two zones had originally been planned for every race with multiple long straights from Montreal onwards (depending on Montreal/Valencia success), but this was not implemented. [8] However, at the penultimate round of the 2011 season, two zones on consecutive long straights saw a return at Yas Marina.

When usage of the DRS remained legal for the 2012 season, a second zone was added to the opening round's track in Melbourne. A third DRS zone was added during 2018 and 2019 seasons in Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Austria, Singapore, and Mexico. In the 2022 season, a fourth zone was initially added for the track in Melbourne, after the circuit redevelopment, before being removed for safety reasons. [9] [10] In the 2023 season the zone was re-added. [11] Bahrain, Jeddah, Melbourne, Baku and Miami had their DRS zones adjusted based on whether the FIA deemed DRS made overtaking at these five circuits too easy or too hard in 2022. [12] A fourth DRS zone was added in Singapore in 2024. [13]

DRS is set to be made obsolete in the 2026 season, being replaced with an "active aerodynamics" system. [4]

Functional description

The horizontal elements of the rear wing consist of the main plane and the flap. The DRS allows the flap to lift a maximum of 85 millimetres (3.3 in) from the fixed main plane. This reduces drag from the wing and results in less downforce. In a straight line, where downforce isn't needed, it allows for faster acceleration and potential top speed, unless limited by the mechanical limits of the engine and transmission. Sam Michael, sporting director of the McLaren team, believes that DRS in qualifying will be worth about half a second per lap.

The effectiveness of the DRS will vary from track to track and, to a lesser extent, from car to car. The system's effectiveness was reviewed in 2011 to see if overtaking could be made easier, but not to the extent that driver skill is sidelined. The effectiveness of DRS seems likely to be determined by the level of downforce at a given circuit (where the cars are in low drag trim at circuits like Monza, the effects may be smaller), length of the activation zone, and characteristics of the track immediately after the DRS zone.

Rules on use

DRS zones on the Sepang International Circuit in 2011. 1: DRS detection point. 2: DRS activation point. 3: approximate DRS deactivation point (braking zone before Turn 1) Sepang drs.png
DRS zones on the Sepang International Circuit in 2011. 1: DRS detection point. 2: DRS activation point. 3: approximate DRS deactivation point (braking zone before Turn 1)

Use of DRS is restricted by the F1 rules; it is permitted only when both:

Further:

A dashboard light notifies the driver when the system is enabled (the driver can also see the system deploy in his wing mirrors). The system is deactivated when the driver releases the button or uses the brakes.

There are lines on the track to show the area where the one-second proximity is being detected (the detection point) and a line later on the track (the activation point), along with a sign vertically marked "DRS" where the DRS zone itself begins.

Reception

There has been a mixed reaction to the introduction of DRS in Formula One amongst both fans and drivers. Some believe that this is the solution to the lack of overtaking in F1 in recent years while others believe this has made overtaking too easy. [14] Former Formula One and Team Penske IndyCar Series driver Juan Pablo Montoya described it as "like giving Picasso Photoshop". [15] The principal argument for the opponents of DRS is that the driver in front does not have an equal chance of defending his position because they are not allowed to deploy DRS to defend. The tightening up on the rules for a leading driver defending their position has added to this controversy. [16] In 2018, then-Scuderia Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel stated that he preferred throwing bananas Mario Kart -style over the use of DRS, [17] arguing that it's "artificial". [18]

Road car use

The McLaren P1 coupé is the first road car to have incorporated the F1-style rear wing Drag Reduction Systems. [19] McLaren Senna GTR and Porsche 911 (992) GT3 RS later followed suit by the introduction of the same system in 2019 and 2022 respectively. [20]

See also

Related Research Articles

Formula One, commonly known as Formula 1 or F1, is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The FIA Formula One World Championship has been one of the world's premier forms of racing since its inaugural running in 1950. The word formula in the name refers to the set of rules all participants' cars must follow. A Formula One season consists of a series of races, known as Grands Prix. Grands Prix take place in multiple countries and continents on either purpose-built circuits or closed roads.

A Formula One car or F1 car is a single-seat, open-cockpit, open-wheel formula racing car with substantial front and rear wings, and an engine positioned behind the driver, intended to be used in competition at Formula One racing events. The regulations governing the cars are unique to the championship and specify that cars must be constructed by the racing teams themselves, though the design and manufacture can be outsourced. Formula One drivers experience peak cornering forces of up to six lateral g.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Circuit de Monaco</span> Temporary race track in Monte Carlo, Monaco

Circuit de Monaco is a 3.337 km (2.074 mi) street circuit laid out on the city streets of Monte Carlo and La Condamine around the harbour of the Principality of Monaco. It is commonly, and even officially, referred to as "Monte Carlo" because it is largely inside the Monte Carlo neighbourhood of Monaco.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Formula One World Championship</span> 62nd season of the FIA Formula One World Championship

The 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship was the 65th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. The original calendar for the 2011 Formula One World Championship consisted of twenty rounds, including the inaugural running of the Indian Grand Prix before the cancellation of the Bahrain Grand Prix. Pirelli returned to the sport as tyre supplier for all teams, taking over from Bridgestone, marking their return to Formula One for the first time since the 1991 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Williams FW30</span> Racing car model

The Williams FW30 is a Formula One racing car, designed by Williams for the 2008 Formula One season. The car is largely an evolution of its predecessor, the FW29. As with its predecessor, the FW30 is powered by engines manufactured by Toyota. The FW30 was unveiled to the public on 21 January 2008 at the Circuit de Valencia, Spain, and made its race debut at the Australian Grand Prix and was driven by Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima.

The regulations governing Formula One racing have changed many times throughout the history of the sport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 British Grand Prix</span> Motor car race

The 2011 British Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 10 July 2011 at the Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire, England, and won by Fernando Alonso. It was the ninth race of the 2011 season, and saw the introduction of a ban on off-throttle blown diffusers, the practice of forcing the engine to continue to produce exhaust gasses to generate downforce when drivers are not using the throttle. The race also saw the Formula One debut of future Grand Prix winner Daniel Ricciardo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Canadian Grand Prix</span> Formula One motor race held in 2011 in Canada

The 2011 Canadian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 12 June 2011 at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It was the seventh race of the 2011 Formula One World Championship and the 48th Canadian Grand Prix. McLaren driver Jenson Button won the 70-lap race starting from seventh position. Sebastian Vettel, who started from pole position, finished second in a Red Bull Racing with teammate Mark Webber finishing third.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 European Grand Prix</span> Motor car race

The 2011 European Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 26 June 2011 at the Valencia Street Circuit in Valencia, Spain. The race, which was the eighth round of the 2011 Formula One season, was won by defending world drivers' champion and championship leader Sebastian Vettel, who was driving a Red Bull Racing car. Vettel, who started from pole position, also recorded the fastest lap of the race on lap 53, giving him a hat-trick. After a race-long battle, Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso and Vettel's teammate Mark Webber finished the race in second and third respectively. The race was notable for having the fewest retirements and the most finishers ever in a Formula One Grand Prix with all 24 cars starting the race also finishing the race with no retirements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Indian Grand Prix</span> Motor car race

The 2011 Indian Grand Prix, formally the 2011 Formula 1 Airtel Grand Prix of India, was a Formula One motor race that was held on 30 October 2011 at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was the seventeenth round of the 2011 Formula One season and the first Formula One Grand Prix to take place in South Asia and first to take place in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Italian Grand Prix</span> Motor car race

The 2011 Italian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race that was held on 11 September 2011 at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza in Italy. It was the thirteenth round of the 2011 Formula One season and was also the sixtieth time the Italian Grand Prix had been held at Monza. The 53-lap race was won by Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel, the World Drivers' Championship leader, after he started from pole position. Jenson Button finished in second place for McLaren, and Fernando Alonso completed the podium in third position for Ferrari.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Korean Grand Prix</span> Motor car race

The 2011 Korean Grand Prix, formally the 2011 Formula 1 Korean Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race that was held on 16 October 2011 at the Korea International Circuit in Yeongam, South Jeolla, South Korea. It was the sixteenth round of the 2011 Formula One season, the second running of the Korean Grand Prix, and the first race after Sebastian Vettel claimed the 2011 World Drivers' Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix</span> Motor car race

The 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 4 November 2012 at the Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It was the eighteenth round of the 2012 Formula One season and the fourth Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The 55-lap race was won by Lotus driver Kimi Räikkönen after starting from fourth position. Fernando Alonso finished second in a Ferrari with his championship rival Sebastian Vettel third for Red Bull, having started from the pit lane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Australian Grand Prix</span> Motor car race

The 2012 Australian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 18 March 2012 as the opening round of the 2012 Formula One season. It was the 77th race in the combined history of the Australian Grand Prix that dates back to the 100 Miles Road Race of 1928, and the 17th time the event has been held at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit at Albert Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 European Grand Prix</span> 8th round of the 2012 Formula One season

The 2012 European Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race that was held at the Valencia Street Circuit in Valencia, Spain on 24 June 2012. It was the eighth round of the 2012 championship season, and the final time the circuit hosted the European Grand Prix or any other Formula One race. It was Fernando Alonso's second Grand Prix win in Spain after the 2006 Spanish Grand Prix held at Barcelona. Michael Schumacher finished third at the age of 43 years and 173 days, the oldest driver to climb to the podium since Jack Brabham's second-place finish at the 1970 British Grand Prix. It was Schumacher's best result since his comeback in 2010 and the final podium finish of his Formula One career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Malaysian Grand Prix</span> 2nd round of the 2012 Formula One season

The 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 25 March 2012 at the Sepang International Circuit in Selangor, Malaysia. It was the fourteenth running of the Malaysian Grand Prix as a round of the Formula One World Championship, and the thirty-second time the event has been held. The 56-lap race was the second round of the 2012 Formula One season and was won by Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso. Sergio Pérez of the Sauber team finished the race in second position, and McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton completed the podium with third place after starting in pole position.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercedes F1 W03</span> Formula One racing car

The Mercedes F1 W03 is a Formula One racing car designed by Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team for use in the 2012 Formula One season. The car was driven by seven time World Drivers' Champion Michael Schumacher, in his final year of his F1 career and Nico Rosberg. The car was launched on 21 February, ahead of the second test of the winter testing season. The team used the F1 W03's predecessor, the Mercedes MGP W02, at the first test in Jerez de la Frontera — running for three of the four days — in order to evaluate the 2012 specification of Pirelli tyres. The W03 completed a shakedown at Silverstone on 16 February and carried out a private test at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona on 19 February; under the sporting regulations, the team was entitled to hold a private test as they had only attended three of the four test days at Jerez.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lotus E20</span> Formula One racing car

The Lotus E20 is a Formula One racing car designed and produced by the Enstone-based Lotus F1 Team for the 2012 Formula One season. The chassis was designed by James Allison, Naoki Tokunaga, Martin Tolliday and Dirk de Beer with Renault continuing to supply engines. The E20 was the twentieth Formula One car to be designed at Enstone since 1992, and was named in tribute to the contribution made by the facility and its personnel in their twenty-year history. The car was also the first from Enstone to carry the Lotus name, since the team ceased using the Renault name following their renaming from Lotus Renault GP at the end of 2011. The car, which was launched by the team on its website on 5 February 2012, was driven by 2007 World Drivers' Champion Kimi Räikkönen and reigning GP2 Series champion Romain Grosjean, both of whom returned to Formula One after a two-year absence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FIA Formula 2 Championship</span> Single-seater racing championship

The FIA Formula 2 Championship is a second-tier single-seater championship organized by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). Held on racing circuits, the championship was introduced in 2017, following the rebranding of the long-term Formula One feeder series GP2. The series' original founders were Flavio Briatore and current managing director Bruno Michel. It is the last step on the FIA Global Pathway from Karting to Formula One. While it is not absolutely necessary to do so, most current F1 drivers have participated in either Formula 2 or GP2 before graduating to Formula One.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Silverstone Formula 2 round</span>

The 2018 Silverstone FIA Formula 2 round was a pair of motor races held on 7 and 8 July 2018 at the Silverstone Circuit in Silverstone, United Kingdom as part of the FIA Formula 2 Championship. It was the seventh round of the 2018 FIA Formula 2 Championship and ran in support of the 2018 British Grand Prix.

References

  1. ↑ "2011 F1 Technical Regulations, Section 3.18" (PDF). argent.fia.com. 8 March 2011. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  2. ↑ New Formula Renault 3.5 racer unveiled at Silverstone – Autoblog, 24 August 2011
  3. ↑ DTM's DRS system will be limited at Brands Hatch – Mattias Ekstrom – Autosport, 14 May 2013
  4. 1 2 Noble, Jonathan (6 June 2024). "How F1's new active aero will work in 2026". Autosport.
  5. ↑ "What is Formula 1 DRS?". F1 Chronicle. 25 November 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  6. ↑ Sam Collins (30 March 2011). "DRS: The Drag Reduction System explained". Racecar Engineering. Chelsea Magazine Company, part of the Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  7. ↑ "New F1 sprint format + DRS and engine limit tweaks announced". The Race. 5 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  8. ↑ "Two race DRS zones from Montreal onwards". Adam Cooper's F1 Blog. 20 May 2011.
  9. ↑ Luke Smith (21 May 2018).*Third DRS zone added for F1 Australian GP at Albert Park". Crash.net.
  10. ↑ "FIA removes one F1 DRS zone at Albert Park on safety grounds". Motorsport. 9 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  11. ↑ "Melbourne ci riprova: "Quattro zone DRS"". Formulapassion.it (in Italian). 20 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  12. ↑ "2023 FIA Formula One World Championship Formula 1 Commission meeting 21.02.23". Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 21 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  13. ↑ "A new fourth DRS zone in Singapore". Pirelli.com. 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  14. ↑ "BBC Sport - Is DRS making overtaking too easy?". BBC Sport.
  15. ↑ Juan Pablo Montoya reckons DRS has made Formula 1 less challenging – Autosport, 26 April 2014
  16. ↑ "F1 2011 Sporting Regulations"
  17. ↑ Vettel: ‘throwing bananas’ from cockpit ‘more fun’ than DRS
  18. ↑ Lloyd, Harrison (8 August 2023). "DRS In Formula 1: How, Why, And When Is It Used?". Formula Driven. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  19. ↑ "Officially Official: the new McLaren P1". 27 September 2012.
  20. ↑ "Downforce Update".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.