The Drag Reduction System (DRS) was introduced in Formula 1 in 2011 to make overtaking easier and racing more exciting. It works by allowing a driver to open a flap in the rear wing of their car, reducing drag and increasing speed on straights.

However, drivers can only use DRS when they are within one second of the car in front and only in specific areas of the track, called DRS zones.

DRS has some rules to keep racing fair and safe. For example, it can’t be used on the first lap of the race or after a restart following a safety car or red flag. Also if the track is wet or dangerous, the race director might disable DRS.

Most tracks have two DRS zones, but a few, have three and only two on the F1 calendar (Melbourne and Singapore) have four. These zones are clearly marked on the track with detection and activation points to show where DRS can be used.

Although DRS makes overtaking easier, not everyone likes it. Some drivers and fans say it takes away the skill needed to make a good overtake. On tracks like Monaco, where overtaking is already hard, DRS doesn’t help much.

The same opinion share Eddie Jordan, ex-owner of team Jordan, and former F1 driver David Coulthard as they both criticised the system in the episode of the Formula for Success podcast.

“Now, we’ve just witnessed recently the Grand Prix in Brazil all in damp, wet conditions, and of course, no DRS, and it was a brilliant race,” said Coulthard.

“So I personally feel that very often DRS is overly effective in allowing people to overtake. And there used to be a real anticipation of pulling off an overtake and getting an opportunity to do so. So I’d definitely be in favour in reducing the effect of DRS.”

Jordan not only agreed with Coulthard but also called the system ‘stupid’.

“Anything that’s contrived, anything that’s false, anything that is put in the place of the story being unfolded in a true, dramatic and honest, correct way, in my opinion, is false.

“DRS is fundamentally false. It’s false.”

He continued: “We saw an outrageous race in Brazil. Let’s assume Lando [Norris] goes off. Let’s assume he gets the jump at the start of the race.

“Lap three, he hasn’t quite broken the one-second mark, and, it can’t be Oscar Piastri, but let’s say it can be anyone else, let’s say it’s [Charles] Leclerc is close enough to him, and he’s got the DRS, and he comes bounding up the hill, and suddenly, bang, and he’s through.

“For me, that’s not the fight. That’s not a fight.

“That’s like having a boxer with one hand tied behind his back for that particular moment, and it’s an unfair advantage, isn’t it? I mean, he hasn’t got all the facilities to be able to defend himself.

“I’m of the opinion, if you can’t do it fairly and squarely, which is what we all had to do in your day, David, why punish a good driver in just giving up a spot, because that stupid rule, DRS, is in play. I’m not in favour of it. I’m really sorry. Old fashioned, call me what you like.”

In 2026, DRS will be replaced by a new system for overtaking called Manual Override Mode (MOM). DRS will still remain on the cars, but it will have a different purpose. Instead of using the rear wing to overtake, drivers will get an extra energy boost to help them pass other cars.