Fifteen seasons on, DRS faces fresh scrutiny
Introduced to combat processional racing, Formula 1’s drag reduction system has been part of the sport for 15 seasons. Yet in 2025, two of the calendar’s most slipstream-friendly venues—Monza and Baku—have highlighted just how muted its effect can be.
What’s blunting DRS?
While specifics vary by circuit and car, several familiar factors can diminish the system’s punch at high-speed tracks:
- Low-drag set-ups: Teams trim rear wings to maximise top speed, reducing the relative gain when the flap opens.
- Energy deployment tactics: Smart battery management can neutralise closing speeds, especially on long straights.
- DRS zone calibration: If detection points and activation lengths are conservative, overtaking becomes harder even with DRS.
- Tyre and aero sensitivity: Following closely can still overheat tyres and wash out front grip, limiting gains before the straight.
- Slipstream saturation: At tracks where the tow is already strong, the added delta from DRS can be less decisive.
All of this compounds into smaller speed differentials and fewer straightforward passes, feeding the ongoing debate about whether the tool still serves its original purpose.
Where the debate goes next
Calls to refine the placement and length of DRS zones typically follow such races, and broader questions persist about the long-term future of the aid. For now, Monza and Baku have reinforced that, in certain conditions, DRS can look more like a blunt instrument than a silver bullet.
