Jean Monchaux on what will replace DRS

One of the important and interesting aspects of the new technical regulations is that there will no longer be DRS systems in the usual sense, although active aerodynamics devices, i.e. moving elements controlled by the rider, will not only be in the design of occur at the rear, but also in the forewing.

Their function is exactly the same as that of DRS: reducing air resistance when driving at high speeds. FIA Technical Director Jean Monchaux spoke about how this will all work, as well as the essence of Override Mode.

Jean Monchaux: “In the new generation of cars, a lot of emphasis is placed on reducing air resistance. The DRS system as such, i.e. the rear wing with movable element, will no longer be used to facilitate overtaking – it can be used as standard on all straight sections of the track. Moreover, this applies to all machines at the same time.

The calculation is simple: on straight lines this solution helps reduce drag; In addition, this reduces energy consumption, and as the maximum speed increases, the amount of secondary energy stored during the recovery process during braking at the end of the straights will also increase.

The number of overtakes remains a very important parameter, and the task of increasing it will be solved in two ways. Firstly, we continue to improve the efficiency of aerodynamics by reducing the losses that occur while chasing an opponent’s car and have a negative impact.

To overtake you need to get close to the car in front, but nowadays it is impossible to stay close behind it in corners, because an area of ​​very strong turbulence is created, which makes your car lose stability. The chasing driver must take his foot off the gas and try to overtake again on the next straight stretch.

And it was very important for us to ensure that even in corners it was possible to chase an opponent without much loss, for which it was necessary to reduce the influence of turbulence on the chasing car.

But since both drivers can use active aerodynamics systems on the straights and moving elements will appear on both the front and rear wings, the second method will be used for this. The driver of the car behind can use more electrical energy from the ERS for a certain period of time on that specific lap.

To use the DRS system, currently the distance between two cars must be less than a second and everything in a given area must be done in a straight line – this will change in the future. Although the logic will remain approximately the same: the driver approaches the opponent’s car and in one lap will have the opportunity to use an additional amount of energy, and when and in the way he needs.

Moreover, the amount of this extra energy is determined by regulations. This measure increases the chance of successful overtaking at the end of the straight.”