F1: Red Bull's 2023 'DRS' turning heads in F1

(GMM) One of Red Bull’s major advantages in Formula 1 this year is becoming clear – DRS.

Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton said the way Max Verstappen passed him in Saudi Arabia last weekend astonished him.

“I don’t know how or why, but he passed me with impressive speed,” he said.

“I didn’t even bother to defend because there was a huge difference.”

Red Bull’s Honda-Red Bull Powertrains-powered car is impressive in a straight line, but it is believed the efficiency of the drag reduction system (DRS) overtaking aid is particularly strong compared to the competition.

Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB19 with the DRS open. While rival teams think it is an aerodynamic trick that Red Bull has when the DRS is open (sending them down that rathole to try and figure it out) it’s more likely that the Honda engine in the back of the Red Bull can unleash a huge burst of extra HP at the same time the DRS is open. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

“Lewis is right,” Sky UK reporter Ted Kravitz said. “He says he’s never seen anyone gain that much speed with DRS and does not understand how it’s possible.”

Indeed, other teams – like Ferrari – are actually struggling more than before in a straight line this season so far.

“In the dirty air it’s a little worse compared to last year,” Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz said.

“Perhaps it’s due to the increase in downforce and the new regulations, but now the car is behaving in much the same way as the previous generation cars. It has become more difficult to follow an opponent closely.”

McLaren’s Lando Norris agrees: “In the dirty air, we have big problems following the other cars.”