Abu Dhabi GP 2025: The final weekend of DRS before active aero takes over
After more than a decade on the grid, Formula 1 is preparing to retire the Drag Reduction System (DRS), a technology that has defined overtaking since its introduction in 2011. Designed to help drivers make passes easier in turbulent air, DRS allowed a rear wing flap to open in specific zones on the track, reducing aerodynamic drag by up to 25% and boosting top speed by 10 to 15 km/h when within one second of the car ahead.
Over the years, DRS has been the source of countless dramatic overtakes, creating thrilling moments for fans and giving drivers the chance to make moves that would have been impossible under normal aerodynamic conditions. However, it has also faced criticism for making some passes feel artificial, as the system effectively assisted drivers rather than relying purely on skill.
The 2026 Formula 1 regulations mark a new era, one that will see active aerodynamics, smaller cars, and powerful new power units designed to encourage natural racing without the need for designated overtaking zones. Teams and drivers are now looking forward to battles where aerodynamics and driver skill alone will decide who makes it past on track, rather than the flap of a wing.
This season, Abu Dhabi will offer fans one final chance to see DRS in action under the iconic night lights. It promises to be a nostalgic farewell for a system that has influenced over a decade of racing strategy, overtakes, and fan memories. As Formula 1 moves toward 2026, the focus will shift back to raw racing, tighter battles, and a return to overtakes earned purely on driver talent and car performance.
For many, the end of DRS is bittersweet: it changed how races were won and lost, yet it also paved the way for an even more exciting future, where drivers must rely entirely on skill, precision, and strategy to climb the ranks on every circuit.
So enjoy the final flashes of open rear wings this weekend, F1 fans. From 2026 onwards, if someone sails past on the straight, it will be because they earned it the old-fashioned way.
