Sergio Perez of Red Bull Racing RB20 competed in the Bahrain Grand Prix, the first race of the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship. Carlos Sainz has expressed his belief that the upcoming season will pose challenges at certain tracks due to the new rule regarding the Drag Reduction System (DRS). Since its introduction in 2011, drivers have been allowed to adjust the rear wing slot gap to increase their top speed after the second lap. However, for the 2024 campaign, a regulation tweak has been implemented, allowing drivers to use DRS after the first lap of the race. This rule also applies to the second lap after a Safety Car period, as long as the driver is within one second of the car ahead at the DRS detection point. Sergio Perez utilized the DRS to his advantage, moving from fifth to second place in Bahrain. He believes that this rule change will bring about a unique style of racing on street circuits. When questioned about the impact of the change, Perez stated, “When you are in a fight, straight away you get DRS. Like I saw Carlos, he lost DRS early on and he was just out of contention for a while. And the car ahead going straight into the clean air, it’s basically going on its own. It has to use more of its tyres. So it’s a bit of a disadvantage if you are fighting, I think, in places like Baku or even Jeddah, you know, having that sort of… I think that the racing is going to be different. It does create a difference to the car ahead in the first few laps. So yeah, it’s going to be interesting. I think the whole first stint between Mercedes, Ferrari and myself was very racy. So I think that change in DRS is making a difference.”
Carlos Sainz emphasized the delicate balance required to avoid overheating the tires while striving to enter the DRS range, a strategy he executed flawlessly to secure a podium finish in Bahrain.
“I believe that strategic thinking plays a significant role, particularly considering how susceptible the tires are to aggressive driving,” Sainz remarked.
“Thus, on one hand, you want to exert pressure to escape the DRS or gain access to it. On the other hand, you also want to preserve the tires since we are all aware of how vulnerable they are during the initial laps when pushed to the limit. It’s a fine line to tread.
“As soon as I realized that I didn’t face any pressure from behind, I made the decision to manage my tires, and it paid off. Instead of engaging in the DRS battle, I could effortlessly overtake my opponents.
“And yes, it will depend on the characteristics of each track. Facing a 24-race season like this will undoubtedly present challenges. We experienced this during the Sprint last year.
“So yes, it will be a test, but it adds another intriguing aspect to consider.”
Max Verstappen dominated the season’s opening race, securing a commanding victory with a staggering 22-second lead. However, the Dutchman echoed Perez and Sainz’s sentiments regarding the potential changes in racing dynamics in 2024.
“From my perspective as well, determining the appropriate level of aggression is crucial. Charles, for example, had the opportunity to utilize the DRS on at least one occasion during the first lap,” he observed. “But of course, you want to push while also preserving your tires. Therefore, making that decision will be quite challenging on certain tracks, as the DRS can be an incredibly potent tool, potentially leading to intriguing battles or situations.”