Next season will mark the end of a system that has been a staple of Formula 1 for 15 years: the DRS, or drag reduction system. Introduced to make overtaking easier—something that had become increasingly challenging—the DRS played a central role on many circuits that accentuated its effect. During the last seasons with ground-effect cars, after some initially encouraging months, overtakes occurred almost exclusively on straights. Drivers found it progressively more difficult to follow each other through corners due to the turbulent air, a limiting factor that reduced the quality of wheel-to-wheel racing. Over time, overtaking action diminished, returning to levels reminiscent of the sport’s less dynamic past.
Among the many regulatory changes for 2026, Formula 1 will therefore abandon the DRS. The goal is to increase on-track action with the new systems being introduced, while hoping they don’t have the opposite effect.
The replacements for DRS
Of course, the regulations are designed to include new systems capable of facilitating overtaking. Despite the many uncertainties for the upcoming season, there are some certainties, particularly regarding the wings. Both the front wing and the rear wing will now be movable, a novelty never seen before in Formula 1. Active aerodynamics is a major piece of the puzzle for the 2026 championship, and unlike DRS, it will not be under the direct control of a single driver. Previously, DRS was manually activated within designated zones and time limits; the new systems work differently.
Drivers will also have a new DRS-like device called “Overtake Mode.” In agreement with their team, drivers can maintain maximum power by using the electric motor at 350 kW between speeds of 290 km/h and up to 337 km/h, while the car ahead must use normal electric mode, which reduces electric power above 290 km/h. This limitation has been implemented by the FIA to save energy.
The resulting speed difference between the “chaser” and the “car ahead” should facilitate overtaking. In some cases, it could even create a greater speed differential than what DRS provided. This new system will only be usable in specific zones designated by the FIA, and unlike DRS, these zones will vary for each circuit. For example, the Overtake Mode zones will be more extensive at Monza and more limited in Melbourne.
Smaller cars enhance the spectacle
Thanks to the reduction in car size, the absence of DRS will be felt significantly less. This change is particularly beneficial for narrow circuits like Monaco, Montréal, and Singapore, where overtaking has often been difficult, if not impossible. Smaller cars also create more space on track for attacking, defending, and optimizing qualifying performance.
As with any major change, there are advantages and drawbacks to retiring such a controversial system. However, the direction taken by the FIA seems clearly aimed at increasing on-track action rather than reducing it, a development that will excite any fan of the sport. The final judge, as always, will be the racetrack. A period of adaptation and understanding will likely be required to optimize the use of these new modes, which are complex in several respects.
At least DRS had a simpler and more predictable application. Adaptation will be necessary not only for those physically operating on the track but also for fans watching from the grandstands or on television. This is the cost of such a major technical reshuffle and a key challenge as Formula 1 enters a new era of racing strategy and engineering complexity.
The success of the 2026 era hinges on whether these sophisticated power-deployment strategies can replicate the thrill of a natural pass without feeling overly artificial. By combining active aerodynamics with a tactical “overtake mode,” the FIA is betting that the intelligence of the driver and the efficiency of the power unit will become the new decisive factors in wheel-to-wheel combat. If the simulations hold true, fans can look forward to a more dynamic form of racing where the battle for position lasts the entire length of the straight, potentially restoring the pure racing spirit that DRS sometimes masked.
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