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TechNovember 28, 2025

Why DRS Is Being Removed (And What Replaces It)

Active Aero is set to replace DRS in 2026. We explain how the new 'Manual Override' mode works and why it will create better racing.


After 15 years, the Drag Reduction System (DRS) is officially dead. In 2026, it will be replaced by a more complex and strategic system known as Manual Override Mode (MOM).


Why kill DRS?


DRS was always a "band-aid" solution. It was introduced in 2011 to fix the fact that F1 cars couldn't follow each other closely. It worked by opening a slot in the rear wing to reduce drag, giving the chasing car a speed boost.


However, it had two major flaws:

1. It was artificial: Fans hated seeing "highway passes" where a driver breezed past on a straight with no defense possible.

2. It became redundant: With the 2026 "Active Aero" rules, *every* car needs to reduce drag on straights just to be efficient. If everyone has low drag (X-Mode), opening the wing further provides no relative advantage.


The Replacement: Manual Override


Instead of an aerodynamic advantage, the new overtaking aid is a power advantage.


  • The Leader: As the leading car reaches high speeds (approx 290km/h), its electrical deployment tapers off to save energy.
  • The Chaser: If a driver is within 1 second of the car ahead, they can activate Manual Override. This allows their electric motor to keep deploying full power (350kW) up to 337km/h.

    • Why this is better


    This shifts the battle from "who has the slipperiest wing" to "who has the most energy left." It puts the control back in the driver's hands. A driver might save their battery for three laps to launch one massive attack, or use it defensively to hold off a rival. It promises to make overtaking a strategic chess match rather than a push-button inevitability.