George Russell and Carlos Sainz, both directors of the Formula 1 Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, find themselves at the heart of a heated debate over DRS (Drag Reduction System) safety following an alarming crash involving Alpine’s Jack Doohan. The incident occurred during the Japanese Grand Prix weekend, raising urgent concerns about how DRS activation is managed on the track.
Doohan’s accident unfolded when he failed to manually deactivate his DRS while approaching Turn 1, a mistake which resulted in his car being split in half during Free Practice 2. This incident has sparked discussions among drivers, with many proposing an automatic mechanism to disable DRS as a preventative measure.
The drivers’ briefing witnessed a heightened awareness of the associated risks, leading to calls for increased safety measures. Carlos Sainz supports this change, advocating for automatic DRS closure for enhanced safety. “Safety’s still the main priority always with these cars, especially with the speeds we’re doing,” Sainz emphasized, acknowledging the potential consequences had this incident occurred in a different era of Formula 1.
On the contrary, George Russell holds a different perspective, arguing that driver responsibility should remain paramount. “Obviously what happened to Jack was a big shunt and very unfortunate,” Russell remarked, adding that such issues are rare and should be managed by the drivers using their skills rather than introducing more gadgets.
Russell believes that drivers are capable of handling the activation and deactivation of DRS as part of their professional duties. He highlighted that handling high-speed turns while managing DRS is essential to the skill set expected at the top tier of motorsports.
The FIA remains open to adjustments, with possible changes on the horizon as discussions continue around the upcoming 2026 regulations. The inclusion of V10 engines is being considered, which may also impact DRS protocol if changes to kinetic energy power are made.
This ongoing debate underscores the divide in opinions about safety advancements versus maintaining the fundamental skills that define F1 driving. As the sport evolves, the balance between innovative safety mechanisms and preserving the raw skill of drivers like George Russell will continue to be a pivotal point of discussion.
