Why Verstappen and Leclerc's Jeddah duel showed DRS still has a place in F1
With Formula 1's shift to ground effect aerodynamics, it was hoped that the championship could eventually do away with DRS if the new cars could catch and pass each other more effectively. But DRS enhanced the duel between Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, showing the drag reduction system still has a place in F1
Since 2011, DRS has been a sticking plaster to cover the crack that is a lack of overtaking in Formula 1. However, the seismic, dirty air-slashing shift to ground-effect for this season and beyond now presents the best opportunity to get rid. And with Ross Brawn among those with the desire for it to go, those letter box-like opening rear wings flaps won’t hang around forever. But we’re not quite there yet.
As per Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc following last weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: “DRS needs to stay for now, otherwise the races would be very boring. As much as following has been better from last year to this year, and it's a very positive step, I still think it's not enough to get rid of the DRS.”
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