#How do f1 drivers know when they're allowed to DRS?

1 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

violet ember
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So you can enable DRS when you are less than 1 second away from the car infront, how do f1 drivers know the gap between them and the car in front? Is it displayed on the steering wheel? Or do they have just enough practice to take a accurate guess about the gap being less than 1s or not

trail flicker
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I’m not sure if they have a display option to show the gap, from the onboards I’ve seen it shows a delta to either a target or best time. Engineers usually tell the gap over the radio periodically.

How they know, is a beep in their ears and a light on their steering wheel.

pastel jewel
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I think the team tells them via radio

whole stump
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Typically they have a small green light that comes up on the dash that essentially means that the DRS is available (within the one second limit on approach to the DRS zone)

They also have an audio cue that you can hear (this is a perfect example: https://youtu.be/wiloZUVLC8M?si=tAwVkstO3CrfsShS&t=210)

crystal hazel
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I'd like to add that the gap is not measured at the activation line, but it is measured at the detection zone (if you wondered what it meant)

So if at detection you were 1.2 seconds behind but at the activation line you are at 0.5 seconds, you won't get DRS

pastel jewel
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Also there are some detection zones (Canada) where 1 detection zone is for 2 straights

crystal hazel