Formula One has just three races left before drivers no longer have to hear the dreaded phrase “Max Verstappen has DRS”.

A current F1 car is meticulously designed full of the most expensive gadgets to aid performance but one stands out above all others.

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Introduced in 2011, DRS is an overtaking aid designed to make racing more entertaining by helping cars to better pass each other.

In 2024, F1’s governing body the FIA ​​confirmed a notable change for the season involving DRS.

The drivers have been able to use the overtaking system after just one lap rather than the usual two that have been in place.

After 21 rounds, however, there have been just 781 laps across the grid – which is 250 fewer than at this stage last year.

In fairness, a significant part of this is due to the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix – which had an F1 record 188 overtakes in a single race.

There have also been reductions in the sizes of many DRS zones at various tracks this year, so let’s take a look at what it’s all about…

What is DRS?

DRS stands for drag reduction system.

The system involves the driver pressing a button on their steering wheel to open a hatch in the rear wing.

When open, DRS helps reduce the level of drag and increase speed.

But drivers can only activate it either when they are in the DRS zones – which are usually long straights – or when they are within a second of the car in front and need overtaking assistance when they would otherwise be caught driving in dirty, turbulent air.

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Most current F1 circuits have two DRS zones, with Bahrain (three), Monaco (one) and Singapore (four) expected.

Detection and activation points, along with signs, indicate to drivers racing at high-octane speeds where these zones are located.

DRS is automatically deactivated and the rear wings close when the brake pedal is depressed.

In rainy or wet conditions, DRS is not allowed for safety reasons.

That’s because F1 cars need the extra downforce that DRS removes to get better grip on the track and avoid aquaplaning.

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DRS: What has been said?

Juan Pablo Montoya described DRS as “giving Picasso Photoshop.”

“I think without DRS passing would drop significantly,” said Charles Leclerc in 2022. “So I think we’re still better off with DRS.

“What we might need to consider is that the speed delta that exists with DRS can be a bit too much, giving the car behind perhaps too much of a speed delta (so that the overtaking is sometimes done before the braking).

“And you’d much rather have the two cars fighting under braking rather than passing like on the highway.

“Now, that’s sometimes what can happen. So we might have to look at this, but we definitely need DRS these days.”

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Speaking in 2019, Lewis Hamilton said: “These wings are going to be quite a bit bigger, and hopefully the following will be better, so they might not need it then.

“Now it’s just, some of the overtakes, you overtake halfway down the straight. Of course, it’s not as exciting because you want to do it in the corner and push it up the inside of another car.

“But that doesn’t bother me. You still have to try to get into position to take advantage of it.”