The Principle of How DRS Reduces Air Resistance

By Jaesun Yang ’26  • Nov 18, 2025

Formula One—better known as F1—is the pinnacle of global motorsport, a championship series that stages high-speed races across circuits around the world. Unlike road cars, F1 machines are built to be extraordinarily light and engineered to reach speeds exceeding 350 km/h. Every lap is a showcase of cutting-edge science, from aerodynamics and tire temperature management to energy efficiency and engine performance.

Tracks feature a mix of long straights and technical corners, each demanding different forms of precision from drivers and teams. One of the sport’s key performance tools is the DRS, or Drag Reduction System, a mechanism regulated by the FIA. Activated only on designated straight sections, DRS reduces aerodynamic drag by opening a flap in the rear wing, allowing cars to gain significant speed and making overtaking far more achievable.

How Does DRS Work?

The Drag Reduction System, or DRS, is designed to cut aerodynamic drag and allow an F1 car to reach higher speeds on straight sections of the track. Under normal conditions, an F1 car relies heavily on its rear wing to generate downforce—an aerodynamic force that presses the car firmly onto the track. By channeling airflow downward, the rear wing helps the tires grip the asphalt, giving the driver the stability needed to corner at extreme speeds. This increased grip comes with a trade-off: higher air resistance. Without sufficient downforce, the car loses traction and begins to slide, especially through fast corners.

On straights, however, the priorities shift. Maximum speed becomes more valuable than maximum grip. When DRS is activated, a flap on the rear wing lifts open, allowing air to flow through rather than pushing against it. This drastically reduces drag and helps the car accelerate more freely. The result is a noticeable boost in straight-line speed, making overtaking more attainable. In essence, DRS temporarily relaxes the aerodynamic forces that keep the car glued to the road, trading cornering stability for raw pace where it matters most.

When Can DRS Be Used?

Activating DRS typically boosts an F1 car’s top speed by 10–15 km/h, and on certain circuits the gain can exceed 20 km/h. But greater speed brings greater risk, which is why the system is permitted only on designated straight sections. It is common to see drivers deploy DRS whenever possible, yet they may do so only when they are within one second of the car ahead.

Because F1 cars regularly reach speeds far beyond those of ordinary road vehicles, race positions can shift within seconds rather than minutes. Even a small increase in straight-line speed can turn a failed overtake into a successful one. Allowing DRS within a one-second window is designed to give trailing drivers a realistic chance to challenge for position.

Before DRS was introduced, overtaking was far more difficult. Cars following closely would be caught in the turbulent, heated air produced by the car in front, reducing grip and stability. With DRS, the chasing car can counteract some of that aerodynamic disadvantage. Official F1 data shows that overtaking has risen significantly since the system’s adoption, and the FIA has credited DRS with making races more “aggressive” and “competitive,” improving the spectacle for both drivers and fans.

DRS Removal Debate.

The Drag Reduction System has long divided the F1 community. Critics argue that DRS creates “artificial” overtaking and masks the skill and strategy traditionally required to pass on track. They contend that the sport should move toward more organic racing in which drivers earn overtakes without technological assistance.

Supporters, however, counter that without DRS, modern F1 cars—burdened by turbulent airflow and complex aerodynamics—would struggle to pass at all. They warn that removing the system could lead to processional races with little action, undermining the excitement that fans expect.

Acknowledging both perspectives, the FIA has indicated that it is open to revisiting the regulations in the long term. Future technical rules may aim to reduce dependence on DRS, allowing cars to follow more closely and overtake on merit. If successful, upcoming generations of F1 machines could showcase each team’s engineering identity while maintaining the competitive intensity that defines the sport.