Farewell, then, DRS

DECEMBER 7, 2025 YAS MARINA, UAE

As the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix drew to a close under the floodlights of Yas Marina, a little bit of history was made. With new regulations arriving in Formula 1 for 2026, this was the swansong for the DRS overtaking aid. And the last driver to press it was Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, striving for one last time to relieve the Red Bull of Yuki Tsunoda from 14th place as they raced up to the long Turn 9 left-hander. DRS was introduced 15 years ago at the 2011 Australian Grand Prix. Although Jenson Button is widely reported to be the first to use it to make a pass in his McLaren, others claim that there was prior unbroadcasted usage in that race. Whatever, Button famously used its perceived effect to force Sebastian Vettel into a last-lap error to win that year’s Canadian GP.