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In most Formula 1 cars, the DRS (Drag Reduction System) is activated by the driver pushing on a button located on the steering wheel. Ferrari however uses a different system.
In most F1 cars, the DRS is activated by pressing on that button and is automatically deactivated when the driver starts to brake.
“When the rear flap comes back into its original position, it takes a fraction of a second for the air flows to reattach. If the driver starts to brake hard when the two flows are still perturbed, braking is not as effective as it should be,” Laurent Mekies, head of vehicle engineering at Toro Rosso told Auto123.com.
This year's Ferrari F138 has two pedals, like in any other F1 car. But according to veteran F1 journalist and engineer, Giorgio Piola, there is a third small pedal or s switch located on the far left.
When Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa want to activate the DRS, they move their left foot to the left and press on that switch. The DRS is open.
Coming to a braking zone, they move their left foot from the DRS switch to the brake pedal. That fraction of a second gives the system enough time to return the flap of the rear wing to the high downforce position for effective braking.
In most F1 cars, the DRS is activated by pressing on that button and is automatically deactivated when the driver starts to brake.
“When the rear flap comes back into its original position, it takes a fraction of a second for the air flows to reattach. If the driver starts to brake hard when the two flows are still perturbed, braking is not as effective as it should be,” Laurent Mekies, head of vehicle engineering at Toro Rosso told Auto123.com.
This year's Ferrari F138 has two pedals, like in any other F1 car. But according to veteran F1 journalist and engineer, Giorgio Piola, there is a third small pedal or s switch located on the far left.
When Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa want to activate the DRS, they move their left foot to the left and press on that switch. The DRS is open.
Coming to a braking zone, they move their left foot from the DRS switch to the brake pedal. That fraction of a second gives the system enough time to return the flap of the rear wing to the high downforce position for effective braking.
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| Photo: WRi2 |