In the cockpit, Formula 1 drivers never typically give anything more than they absolutely need to to their rivals.
Back in 2011, the sport introduced the controversial Drag Reduction System (DRS), in an effort to encourage overtaking by providing more opportunities to pass.
Simple in both concept and execution, DRS allows drivers to open up a hydraulically operated slot in their rear wing to allow much more air through than usual and increase their potential top speed. However, drivers are only permitted to use the device along specific sections of the track and only when within a second of a rival car ahead through a special detection point located just before the activation zone.
Such is the overspeed advantage that attacking cars can have with DRS – sometimes over 15kph – defending from a car with DRS can be especially difficult for drivers. However, one particularly controversial tactic has emerged in recent years that has sparked much debate within the sport.
As having a rival behind with DRS means holding onto a position can be difficult, some drivers have occasionally backed off deliberately on the approach to a DRS detection zone to ‘bait’ their rivals into overtaking them before they cross the detection point and allowing them to gain the benefit of activating DRS along the following straight. If executed successfully, a driver who sacrifices their position for one corner can end up holding onto their position.
There were examples of this in the early races of 2022, when Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc battled for the lead in both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix. In Bahrain, Leclerc backed off at the end of the main straight to allow Verstappen behind him to reach the DRS detection line first to allow him to counter-attack on the run to turn four. The next race in Jeddah, both drivers backed off on the run to the final corner during their late fight for the lead in order to let the other through before the DRS line.
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But this tactic has led to some concerning situations. At the last grand prix of this season in Abu Dhabi last weekend, Lewis Hamilton accused Fernando Alonso of “brake testing” him over team radio after the Aston Martin driver appeared to back off before the typical braking point on the run to turn five to try and encourage Hamilton to pass him before the DRS line.
More famously, Hamilton clashed with…
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