Following Jack Doohan’s terrifying 185mph crash at Suzuka, the FIA has raised the possibility of developing a system to automatically close the Drag Reduction System (DRS) flap. But George Russell, a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), is firmly against the idea—arguing that driver responsibility should not be replaced by more automation.
During Free Practice 2 for the Japanese Grand Prix, Doohan lost control while entering Turn 1 with his DRS still open, resulting in a high-speed spin that destroyed his Alpine car. The incident prompted discussions during Friday’s drivers’ briefing about potential safety measures, including an automated system that would shut the DRS flap before high-speed corners.
Some drivers, including Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton, showed interest in the proposal. Sainz, also a GPDA director, expressed hope that such a system could be introduced in the future. Hamilton, meanwhile, mentioned that he prefers manually closing the DRS flap to manage airflow reattachment before corners.
However, Russell pushed back strongly on any suggestion of further driver aids.
“Obviously what happened to Jack was a big shunt, and very unfortunate,” Russell told reporters. “But it is one of those things that you see happen once and everybody will recognise that this is probably the only corner of the whole calendar that it is a problem.
“I don’t think anything needs to be done,” he continued. “As drivers, you have responsibilities. We’ve got to go flat-out down the straight into Turn 1 and clicking the button to turn the DRS off is part of the job.”
The Mercedes driver emphasized that while safety is always a concern, racing should still rely on driver input and decision-making.
“We don’t want it to be automated. We’ve got to leave it down to the drivers,” Russell said. “There are already too many gadgets assisting us.”
The debate underscores the ongoing tension between technological safety innovations and maintaining the purity of driver skill in Formula 1. While the FIA continues to evaluate the risks, it’s clear that for Russell and some of his peers, the essence of racing lies in the human touch.
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