DRS, or Drag Reduction System, is a driver-operable rear-wing flap that temporarily reduces aerodynamic drag to boost straight-line speed and aid overtaking on designated parts of a F1 circuit. Key points

• How it works: A flap in the rear wing can be opened via a button on the steering wheel, which reduces wing area and drag, allowing the pursuing car to accelerate more quickly down a straight. Activation is controlled by an onboard actuator and is designed to create a local speed advantage for overtaking.

• Activation zones and detection: DRS can only be used in specific DRS Zones on each track. A car must be within one second of the car ahead at a predefined detection point; if this gap is met, the following car gains permission to activate DRS in the upcoming zone. The timing is measured by electronic loops at the detection point.

• Race vs. practice/qualifying: In races, DRS usage is restricted to the zones and only when within the one-second gap. In practice and qualifying, drivers can use DRS more freely within activation zones to achieve faster lap times.

• Dry conditions requirement: DRS is only available when the track is dry; it is disabled in wet conditions to preserve safety and race balance. Some sources also note additional beeps or indicators on the steering wheel to signal availability.

• History and purpose: DRS was introduced to increase overtaking opportunities and to reduce the advantage of following a car through damp air (“dirty air”). It became a standard feature from 2011 onward, with variations in how many zones exist per circuit.

• Variations by circuit: The number and location of DRS zones depend on the track layout; some circuits have multiple zones (e.g., several long straights), while others may have only one zone (e.g., Monaco).

What to tell someone new

• DRS is not a free pass to brake-averse racing; it’s a tactical tool that rewards clean overtakes along straight sections while requiring proximity to the car in front to access.
• In modern F1, teams tune the car’s aero setup to balance performance with DRS effectiveness, since the amount of drag reduction and the angle of the rear wing flap influence how much advantage DRS provides on each zone.

If you’d like, I can tailor this to a specific race weekend or circuit (e.g., how many DRS zones Monaco vs. Australia and where the zones are) and include a simple diagram explanation.