Drag Reduction System
Encyclopedia
Driver adjustable bodywork, commonly known as drag reduction system (or DRS), is a motorsport technology aimed at reducing aerodynamic drag in order to promote overtaking in Formula One
. DRS was introduced in the 2011 Formula One season
and is an adjustable flap on the rear wing of the car, which opens and closes in correspondence with a driver's commands.
The device opens an adjustable flap on the rear wing of the car (which when closed creates more downforce for greater cornering) to reduce downforce, thus giving a pursuing car more speed and a greater chance of overtaking a car in front.
DRS comes with conditions, such as the pursuing car must be within a second (when both cars cross the detection point) for DRS to be activated. Also, the device can only be used, during a Formula One
motor race
once two racing laps have been completed, and when the pursuing car enters a designated 'activation' zone defined by the FIA.
In , 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, whilst 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 such plans did not materialize. However, at the penultimate round of the 2011 season, two zones on consecutive long straights saw a return - at Yas Marina.
and engine rev limiter
. Sam Michael, technical director of the Williams team, believes that DRS in qualifying will be worth about half a second per lap.
The DRS is expected to offer 10–12 km/h more speed by the end of the activation zone. The effectiveness of the DRS will vary from track to track and to a lesser extent from car to car. The system's effectiveness will be under review throughout 2011 to see if overtaking can 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), by the length of the activation zone and by the characteristics of the track immediately after the DRS zone.
Further:
The drivers are able to use the system without restriction during practice and qualifying. A dashboard light notifies the driver when the system is enabled. The system is deactivated when the driver releases the button or brakes.
There are lines on the track to show the area where the one-second proximity is being detected and a line later on the track where the drivers whose system is deemed valid to be armed may deploy it. These lines are more commonly referred to as the 'detection point' and the 'activation point'.
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
. DRS was introduced in the 2011 Formula One season
2011 Formula One season
The 2011 Formula One season was the 62nd FIA Formula One season. The original calendar 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...
and is an adjustable flap on the rear wing of the car, which opens and closes in correspondence with a driver's commands.
The device opens an adjustable flap on the rear wing of the car (which when closed creates more downforce for greater cornering) to reduce downforce, thus giving a pursuing car more speed and a greater chance of overtaking a car in front.
DRS comes with conditions, such as the pursuing car must be within a second (when both cars cross the detection point) for DRS to be activated. Also, the device can only be used, during a Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
motor race
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
once two racing laps have been completed, and when the pursuing car enters a designated 'activation' zone defined by the FIA.
In , the FIA increased the number of DRS zones to two on some circuits featuring multiple long straights. In Valencia
Valencia Street Circuit
The Valencia Street Circuit is a semi-permanent street circuit in Valencia, Spain which will host the Formula One European Grand Prix for seven years. The first race meeting on the circuit was held over the 23/24 August 2008 weekend, with Felipe Massa winning the main event, the European Grand...
and in Montreal
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a motor racing circuit, venue for the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series....
, two zones were endorsed on consecutive long straights, whilst in Monza
Autodromo Nazionale Monza
The Autodromo Nazionale Monza is a race track located near the town of Monza, north of Milan, in Italy. The circuit's biggest event is the Formula One Italian Grand Prix, which has been hosted there since the sport's inception....
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 such plans did not materialize. However, at the penultimate round of the 2011 season, two zones on consecutive long straights saw a return - at Yas Marina.
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 50 mm from the fixed main plane. This reduces opposition (drag) to airflow against the wing and results in less downforce. In the absence of significant lateral forces (straight line), less downforce allows faster acceleration and potential top speed, unless limited by the top gear ratioGear ratio
The gear ratio of a gear train is the ratio of the angular velocity of the input gear to the angular velocity of the output gear, also known as the speed ratio of the gear train. The gear ratio can be computed directly from the numbers of teeth of the various gears that engage to form the gear...
and engine rev limiter
Rev limiter
A rev limiter is a device fitted to an internal combustion engine to restrict its maximum rotational speed. This is usually carried out to prevent damage to the engine, however sometimes these devices are fitted to prevent an engine reaching the point at which it develops maximum power...
. Sam Michael, technical director of the Williams team, believes that DRS in qualifying will be worth about half a second per lap.
The DRS is expected to offer 10–12 km/h more speed by the end of the activation zone. The effectiveness of the DRS will vary from track to track and to a lesser extent from car to car. The system's effectiveness will be under review throughout 2011 to see if overtaking can 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), by the length of the activation zone and by the characteristics of the track immediately after the DRS zone.
Rules on use
The usage of DRS is limited by the F1 rules. It is allowed to be used only when:- The following car is a maximum of one second behind the leading car (the FIA reserves the right to alter this parameter, race by race).
- The following car is in an overtaking zone as defined by the FIA before the race (commonly known as the DRS Zone).
Further:
- The system may not be activated on the first two laps of a race.
- The system cannot be used until two laps have passed after a restart or safety car appearance.
- The system may not be enabled if racing conditions are deemed dangerous by the race director, such as rain as was the case at the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix2011 Canadian Grand PrixThe 2011 Canadian Grand Prix, formally the Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada 2011, was the seventh round of the 2011 Formula One season and was held on 12 June 2011 at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve...
.
The drivers are able to use the system without restriction during practice and qualifying. A dashboard light notifies the driver when the system is enabled. The system is deactivated when the driver releases the button or brakes.
There are lines on the track to show the area where the one-second proximity is being detected and a line later on the track where the drivers whose system is deemed valid to be armed may deploy it. These lines are more commonly referred to as the 'detection point' and the 'activation point'.
Reception
There has been a mixed to positive 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 other believe this has made overtaking too easy. 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 his position has added to this controversy.See also
- Kinetic Energy Recovery SystemsKinetic Energy Recovery SystemsKinetic Energy Recovery Systems are automotive systems whereby the kinetic energy of a moving vehicle is recovered under braking and stored in a reservoir for later use under acceleration....
(Commonly known as "KERS")