Abu Dhabi 2025 crowns a champion and closes a technical chapter
The 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix not only crowned the new Formula 1 World Champion but also marked the end of a technical era: the DRS system, which for fourteen years revolutionized overtaking in the sport.
From debut to the 2026 revolution
Introduced in 2011, DRS represented a groundbreaking innovation. By opening the rear wing flap, drivers could gain up to 10–12 km/h on the straights, making overtaking more frequent and spectacular.
The numbers speak for themselves: in 2010, the last season without DRS, there were 547 overtakes, while in 2011, the first year with the system, overtakes soared to 1,486. The first driver to press the DRS button was Jenson Button. At Abu Dhabi 2025, the last driver to activate DRS was Kimi Antonelli, attempting to pass Yuki Tsunoda for 14th place.
Preparing for the 2026 technical revolution
With the farewell to DRS and ground-effect cars, Formula 1 is entering a new technical era in 2026. The wings will remain key, but they will be complemented by doubled electrical power capable of matching that of the internal combustion engines. This change promises to redefine race strategies and reshape the very nature of overtaking on track.
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