The FIA has outlawed Mercedes double-DRS system for the 2013 season after publishing the latest Technical Regulations, which now feature an added paragraph declaring it illegal.
The system used on the W03 is activated through the DRS and provides an increase in top-speed by stalling the front and rear-wings to reduce drag.
Article 3.18 of the new for 2013 regulations states that the DRS “cannot be used to change the geometry of any duct, either directly or indirectly, other than the change to the distance between adjacent sections permitted by Article 3.10.2,” therefore ruling out any similar devices next season.
A concept thought up by Lotus however hasn’t been dropped for 2013 because it doesn’t involve the DRS, nor does it require any driver input unlike the F-ducts from 2010.
![Isack Hadjar [pictured] has deferred to Max Verstappen for Day 2 of the F1 pre-season test. Image: Red Bull Content Pool](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Isack-Hadjar-Red-Bull-test-2026-120x86.webp)
The system, which is set to debut on the E20’s at the Japanese Grand Prix for the full weekend, is completely passive and stalls the rear-wing at high-speed, rather than when the rear-wing has been activated, therefore giving a greater advantage for more of the lap.
![Isack Hadjar [pictured] has deferred to Max Verstappen for Day 2 of the F1 pre-season test. Image: Red Bull Content Pool](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Isack-Hadjar-Red-Bull-test-2026-350x250.webp)
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