🤨 DRS out of F1 Qualifying?

Hey there, Racing Enthusiast! 👋 

If you've been eagerly waiting for some dramatic shake-ups during this silly season, I feel you. It's been rather quiet on the rumor mill. Not a single contract extension to report – can you believe that?

That said, there's an intriguing whisper around the paddock: Sergio Perez might have a unique clause in his Red Bull contract. The word is, if he falls behind his teammate in points, the team might just take a slice off his paycheck. Ouch, right?

And that's not all – the FIA is reportedly gearing up for some changes to the DRS system.

Even in quieter times, the racing world never truly stops. Let's zoom in!

🛑 New DRS Tweaks May Halt Red Bull

F1's thinking about tweaking DRS, and it might shake Red Bull's winning streak.

Currently, teams use DRS in both races and qualifying. Auto Motor Und Sport says the potential rule change might limit its use to only during races.

Red Bull's advanced DRS, crafted by Adrian Newey's crew, gives them an edge, reducing more drag than rivals. It's so effective that many believe it's the reason behind their dominance.

Fans are grumbling. Red Bull's predictably winning all 12 races this season! Verstappen snagged 10 and Perez 2. They're leading with 503 points, leaving Mercedes trailing by 256.

Though F1's CEO, Stefano Domenicali, previously ruled out curbing Red Bull's performance, this DRS change might do just that.

Some in the F1 community are torn: it'd make races thrilling, but is it fair to pull back Red Bull for acing their game? - Read more

🚨 Replacement Alert: Five Drivers Facing F1 2024 Exit

1. Kevin Magnussen

KMag wowed us with his 'viking comeback' in 2022. He even led in Brazil! So why's his seat in danger for 2024?

His contract ends this year, and compared to his teammate, Nico Hulkenberg, he's been lagging. Could Ferrari-affiliated Antonio Giovinazzi replace him? With his recent Le Mans win, it's possible.

2. Logan Sargeant

He's a rookie who's yet to earn a point. Despite his standout rookie F2 season, his best F1 result has been 11th in Bahrain.

He's a marketer's dream being the only American racer, especially as F1 gains popularity in the US. But if he doesn't pick up the pace, especially since Alex Albon's shown the car’s potential, he might be out.

Mercedes-backed drivers like Fred Vesti and Mick Schumacher might be in the running for his seat.

3. Zhou Guanyu

Zhou's been good, especially in Hungary, but Theo Pourchaire might want his seat. Pourchaire, the youngest ever F2 Feature Race winner, tops the F2 standings and is backed by Sauber Academy.

Zhou's team, including Valtteri Bottas, hasn’t shone this year, but Bottas has a contract till 2025. Zhou might want to up his game in the latter half of this year.

4. Sergio Perez

Despite Christian Horner's assurances, Perez might lose his 2024 seat.

Despite his contract, Red Bull does have a history. More twists than a racetrack! Remember how they replaced Nyck de Vries with Ricciardo? And Daniel Kyvat with Max Verstappen? And Alex Albon with Pierre Gasly, to eventually drop him and take Sergio Perez?

Earlier this week, a rumor started that there's a clause in Checo's contract: if he's 125 points or more behind Max (which he is now), Red Bull might reduce his pay.

5. Daniel Ricciardo

Ricciardo might reclaim a top Red Bull seat, but he's technically 'on loan' at AlphaTauri. He's done well, outshining Nyck De Vries.

If he can outpace Yuki Tsunoda in the second half, he might pressure Red Bull. But if Tsunoda shines brighter, Liam Lawson, fresh from Super Formula, might be considered. Let's see how he performs post-break!

💨 Zandvoort brings “fresh air” to F1

When the Dutch Grand Prix made a comeback after 36 years in 2021, and showed us a glimpse of what the future of F1 could look like. They went above and beyond to offer fans a thrilling experience, not just on the track but off it too.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali couldn't help but tip his hat to Zandvoort. Even with an older facility, they managed to host a spectacular event.

They had everything - passionate fans, entertainment, music, and community spirit. All of it was particularly amazing, considering the venue's size and infrastructure.

Domenicali felt the Dutch GP was perfect in blending sports, entertainment, and fan engagement. Sure, the 'Max Verstappen magic' could have filled the stands on its own, but Zandvoort wasn't about to just rely on their local hero's charm.

Beyond just entertainment, Zandvoort is going green and in style. The Dutch love their bikes, and given Zandvoort's location, most visitors use public transport or bikes.

In fact, 97% used sustainable transport methods last year, and they aim for 100% by 2025.

And then there's the track. Zandvoort's seaside location limited its expansion. So, they introduced banked turns to make the races more thrilling. Domenicali believes this can be a template for other venues in the future. - Read more

 📈 High demand for 2025 Red Bull seat

Christian Horner's lips are no longer sealed. He's confirmed a surge of interest in Red Bull's 2025 F1 seat, and it's not just the familiar faces. Beyond the club, other drivers are also casting eager glances.

While Max Verstappen's all set until 2028, Sergio Perez's 2024 contract end sparks speculations. Perez is eager to stick around, but Daniel Ricciardo, now at AlphaTauri, is eyeing a comeback to Red Bull's premier squad. Yuki Tsunoda and rising star Liam Lawson aren't far behind in the race.

Outside the Red Bull sphere, Lando Norris and rookie Oscar Piastri have shown interest. And Charles Leclerc? His impending contract end with Ferrari has raised a few eyebrows, though a Red Bull move might be a stretch.

Lastly, ex-Red Bull star Alex Albon, now shining with Williams, makes for an intriguing possibility, albeit a remote one. - Read more

Imagine a world where Formula 1 cars couldn't overtake with grace and ease; that's a world without DRS.

Born from the minds of racing's brightest engineers, the Drag Reduction System has revolutionized the thrill of the chase on the track. It's more than just a fancy gadget; it's a game-changer that's altered the dynamics of the sport.

Dive into the mechanics, the history, and the inventive spirit behind this groundbreaking technology that keeps us on the edge of our seats every race day.

What is DRS?

DRS stands for Drag Reduction System. Think of it as F1's secret speed button. It's a fancy way to say we adjust the car's rear wing to make it slice through the air faster.

Flatten the wing, reduce the drag, and boom – the car gets a quick speed boost.

History of DRS

Did you know the idea behind DRS could've hit the tracks 43 years earlier? Lets rewind.

In 1968, Lotus introduced the first wings in F1. Everyone jumped on board. Teams got creative, sometimes a little too wild, with movable wings and eccentric designs.

The FIA had to step in and ban any form of movable wings or designs that weren't safe.

Among the innovations, two stand out: Jackie Stewart’s Matra-Tyrrell which had a wing adjusting while braking.

Then there is Ferrari. At the 1968 Monza Grand Prix, they unveiled a more advanced version. Oil pressure activates three switches that control the wing angle and pistons.

The car pushed speeds from 190 Km/h to a stunning 231 Km/h! Sadly, a little mix-up with the controls cost Ferrari the race.

Fast forward: Adjustable wings took a nap due to new FIA rules. That is until 2010 when McLaren introduced the F-Duct, a precursor to DRS. It lets the driver "stall" the rear wing, reducing drag. But for safety's sake, it was banned in 2011, making way for DRS.

Why was DRS introduced?

Remember the 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix? Alonso was stuck behind Petrov for ages, which led to Vettel snagging the title. That race showed a big problem in F1 - modern cars created so much dirty air that following closely was a nightmare.

Introduced in 2011, DRS is basically a speed booster. If you're within one second of the car ahead, you can open a slot on your rear wing, reducing drag and zipping past.

How does DRS work?

Think of DRS as a flip switch on the rear wing of an F1 car that boosts its speed. Normally, this flap helps the car stick to the ground, but with a button tap on the steering wheel, the flap opens up. This magic move cuts drag and makes the car zoom faster on straight paths.

Now, a bit of wing wisdom: race car wings are the opposite of airplane wings. Instead of helping cars fly, these wings push them down for better grip during those sharp turns.

Here's how: the curved rear wing speeds up the air below and makes it lighter in pressure compared to the top. The result? Air shoots upwards over the wing, and the car gets a nice push downwards. But there's a trade-off – this also slows the car down a tad because of drag.

Enter DRS. It's the best of both – in tight corners, the flap adds that crucial downforce. On open straights, it opens up, letting air pass freely and giving the car a speed boost.

Why Do Racers Care About DRS Strategy?

DRS is more than just a speed booster; it's a game-changer in races. If drivers stay within a second of the car in front, they can use DRS in specific zones to overtake.

But it's all about timing! Use it too soon, and you might get overtaken back. Use it too late, and you could miss your shot. Teams also plan around DRS during qualifying rounds to get the most out of it.

📈 Check this out: In 2010, races had an average of 23.8 overtakes. With DRS in 2011? That jumped to 43.2!

When and where can drivers use DRS?

Here's the lowdown:

• Lap restrictions: No DRS in the first two laps of a race or the first two laps following a safety car or restart

• One-second rule: The car has to be within one second of the car ahead.

• Zone Restrictions: On F1 tracks, officials mark specific straightaways as "DRS zones." It's only in these zones drivers can activate DRS.

• Track/Weather Restrictions: If the track's dicey, race directors can hit pause on DRS.

Drivers can use DRS as many times as they want in a race, just as long as they meet the set criteria.

Now, imagine a bunch of cars, all within a second of each other but not the leader, zooming down a straight track. That's a "DRS train" – all using DRS to leapfrog each other. One of the best examples is Alonso’s train during 2022 Monaco GP.

How do drivers know when to use it? They get a heads-up from sensors near track bends. Once they're good to go, it's a button press away. But, once they hit the brakes at a DRS zone's end, the wing snaps back to its normal position.

DRS debate

Ever since DRS hit the tracks, F1 racing hasn’t been the same. More overtakes, fiercer duels, and fans glued to their screens, waiting for the DRS zones.

Why? Because that’s when magic (or disaster) happens, and sometimes, it's what determines who takes the trophy home.

Not everyone's on board with DRS, though. Some die-hard fans feel it messes with the true spirit of racing. They say it’s more about raw speed on straights and less about a driver's finesse around curves.

Also, using the DRS at the wrong time can make the car hard to handle and might even cause crashes.

Even the current champion thinks we’re better off without it.

So, while it's added drama, the debate rages on: is DRS a game-changer or just a game-player?

The future of DRS

Formula 1 is changing, and there's an ongoing debate about the future of the Drag Reduction System. Some folks want to tweak the rules, while others are looking into new tech to boost overtaking without ruining the game.

If Formula 1 keeps getting better at making cars race closely, we might say goodbye to DRS. That's what Jason Somerville, the FIA's top aerodynamics guy, thinks. By the way, he joined the FIA this year after crafting new F1 rules for five years.

Nikolas Tombazis, the single-seat director, believes ditching DRS could be dicey, even though some people aren't fans of it.

The FIA has already shortened DRS zones in some races. Like at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. And there was a bit of an uproar about that.

Now, word on the street is they're even thinking about axing DRS from Qualifying.

Conclusion

The DRS system showcases how tech has revamped Formula 1 racing over time. Whether it's the shift to carbon fiber or the birth of hybrid powertrains, Formula 1 has consistently led in tech advancements.

Some might feel this tech evolution dilutes the sport's essence, but on the other side, it injects fresh excitement and challenge that keeps fans hooked year after year.

📉 12 races into the 2023 F1 season, and not everyone's been on fire. These 11 drivers might've left their handbrakes on. - Read more 

🤑Got some change to spare? Michael Schumacher's legendary 2002 Ferrari from his Aussie Grand Prix win is up for grabs at RM Sotheby's auction. - Read more

🏌️‍♂️ Yuki Tsunoda got hurt by the very person supposed to keep him in shape: his personal trainer, Michael Italiano. - Read more

🗑️ Sebastian Vettel has brushed off the whispers that he's making a pit stop in Formula E with the ABT Cupra team. - Read more

🤾‍♀️Susie Wolff believes motorsport should definitely take cues from the achievements of other women's sports, pointing to the roaring success of England’s Lionesses as a prime example. - Read more

👨‍🎓 Nyck de Vries is thinking about hitting the books at Harvard after losing his spot with AlphaTauri F1 earlier this season. - Read more

⚫ Alfa Romeo is aiming for seventh place in the Formula 1 Constructors' Championship. - Read more

🏎️ Juan Pablo Montoya said Max Verstappen's success is all due to the car and believes he hasn't improved from two years ago. - Read more

🚦 Mario Andretti wants to bring Cadillac to the F1 grid by 2025 and is waiting for a green light from the FIA and Formula 1 Management. - Read more

⌛ Sergio Perez thinks Otmar Szafnauer wasn't given enough time to prove himself at Alpine in Formula 1. - Read more

🇳🇱 Scheduled 25-27 August

Circuit Zandvoort

1️⃣ Circuit length: 4.259 km
2️⃣ Number of laps: 72
3️⃣ Lap record: 1:11.097 Lewis Hamilton (2021)
4️⃣ Corners & DRS: 14 corners with 2 DRS zones