The sad truth Abu Dhabi's DRS loss exposed
The opening part of last weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix featured a long segment where DRS did not work. For a time, it completely changed the face of the race, but it also exposed an uncomfortable truth for some Formula 1 fans
Last weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix offered Formula 1 fans that have long lamented the presence of DRS a glimpse of what grand prix racing would be like without it.
A computer server problem caused the FIA to disable its use for the first third of the race - and suddenly much quicker drivers were being trapped behind other cars.
Share Or Save This Story
Jonathan Noble is Motorsport.com’s Formula 1 editor. Having graduated from University of Sussex Jonathan worked for sports news agency Collings Sports reporting on F1, F3, touring cars and other sports, with articles appearing in The Daily Telegraph, The Independent, Reuters, Autosport and other publications. In 1999 he moved to Haymarket Publishing to become a senior editor at Autosport Special Projects, and one year later he became Autosport’s grand prix editor. In 2015 he moved to Motorsport Network, becoming the F1 editor for Motorsport.com. He is also a member of the Guild of Motoring Writers, and sits on the FIA Media Council.
More from Jonathan Noble
Alpine F1 driver Gasly becomes co-owner in French football club
What the data tells us about Mercedes’ latest F1 problems
Did secret contract move open door for potential Verstappen Red Bull F1 exit?
Red Bull says RB20 F1 design was “last big roll of the dice”
Wolff doesn't want to fall into Horner "trap" over Red Bull F1 dominance
Norris says next generation F1 cars must address driver comfort issues
FIA evaluating Horner complaint as matter set for appeal
The Beckham clues as to where Verstappen and Red Bull are heading
Latest news
Alpine F1 driver Gasly becomes co-owner in French football club
The key MotoGP change that has gone under the radar in 2024
What the data tells us about Mercedes’ latest F1 problems
Everything you need to know about the pitwall in F1 - who sits there and what does it do?
Autosport Plus
How Bruce McLaren's death shaped more than just his F1 team
Why Mohammed Ben Sulayem believes his mission to create a strong FIA is so important
The Beckham clues as to where Verstappen and Red Bull are heading
How Bearman's F1 debut will help Mercedes on its Hamilton replacement call
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.