2026 F1 Cars - General Thread

[AR3-GP]

Since teams are free to select the wheel rims, do we see open spoke designs or completely closed off wheels?


https://portalterradaluz.com.br/wp-cont ... 05.457.jpg
https://www.the-race.com/content/images ... -cover.jpg
https://i.vgy.me/Inp4EC.jpg

Just a reminder of the consequences of open spokes. It's not perfect since sand is heavier than air, but it is showing to some extent what air does when the spokes are open.



I assume that teams will generate pressure gradients across the spoke face in order to also move air across the face of the wheel.

[vorticism]

The wheel regs are quite restrictive (don't tell me you're surprised).

C10.7.2
e. There must be no passage for air between the inboard and outboard cavities of the Wheel Rim.
Any closing panel may either be integrated into the rim or may be a separate piece. All separate
closing panels must respect clauses (d), (j), and (k) of this Article. Closing panels which are not
required to prevent airflow between the inner and outer cavities are not permitted.
k. Features intended to influence the heat transfer characteristics of the Wheel Rim are not
permitted. F1 Teams are required to submit designs to the FIA for approval.

So while we may see spokes they'll be bridged by panels. I assume this is what the Audi wheel consists of--alternating front panels and rear panels bridging the spokes.

[PlatinumZealot]

I saw a 3D mockup of the 2026 F1 car a few days ago on the internet, and the 3D file was deleted quite quickly. I managed to download it and render it myself. It seems that someone is genuinely working on this design—the floor details look quite convincing especially the fillet radius requirements. Hopefully, in the coming days, when the new car is officially revealed, we will see whether this was a genuine design concept or just a fantasy mockup.

edit on 2026/1/15
The image was deleted because it looks like a 3D concept model from Autosport magazine. The 3D file I downloaded online appears to be a genuine leak and the rights must belong to another party.

edit 2:
Oh man… I need to edit this post again. After reviewing the magazine cover in detail, it seems that their model is different from the one I previously posted. I am not an expert in this area, and I cannot tell whether this concept is genuine or not.

Using my trained eyes, the model is detailed but seems very "artsy" rather than "engineer-y" to me. It seems to be mostly a concept model (to explore boundary boxes? Or just for promotional reasons? ) than anything really mechanical or aerodynamic.

[PlatinumZealot]

This is from 2009:
https://cdn-6.motorsport.com/images/mgl ... _ADJUS.jpg

Great illustration, and a very useful reference point (I think that it also backs up my point as well!?); this worked because it was used by the driver to adjust the front wing and balance the car, in my experience a LinAc cannot be made to operate quickly enough for the ‘instant’ change required. At the same time rotary servo-motors would need to be synchronised side to side (anyone that has owned an original MX5/Miata/Eunos Roadster will be aware of the ‘winking’ phenomenon and operational time difference between two synchronised servo-motors!).
Hydraulic operation would allow you to move the bulk into the nose and retain small actuators, also the technology for hydraulic operation at speed is widely understood (been the de facto method for DRS since its introduction).

I hit the jackpot:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EpbwvXuXIAEkCSH.jpg

There are no hydraulics involved. It's a solenoid that moves the wing (electromagnet). Solenoids can be switched rapidly between two positions using electricity.


https://marvel-b1-cdn.bc0a.com/f0000000 ... nBg=FFFFFF

I am curious about how you conclude that it is a solenoid?

I see universal joints on the mechanism and a linear sensor for feedback so it could very well be a servo motor.

[matteosc]

Great illustration, and a very useful reference point (I think that it also backs up my point as well!?); this worked because it was used by the driver to adjust the front wing and balance the car, in my experience a LinAc cannot be made to operate quickly enough for the ‘instant’ change required. At the same time rotary servo-motors would need to be synchronised side to side (anyone that has owned an original MX5/Miata/Eunos Roadster will be aware of the ‘winking’ phenomenon and operational time difference between two synchronised servo-motors!).
Hydraulic operation would allow you to move the bulk into the nose and retain small actuators, also the technology for hydraulic operation at speed is widely understood (been the de facto method for DRS since its introduction).

I hit the jackpot:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EpbwvXuXIAEkCSH.jpg

There are no hydraulics involved. It's a solenoid that moves the wing (electromagnet). Solenoids can be switched rapidly between two positions using electricity.


https://marvel-b1-cdn.bc0a.com/f0000000 ... nBg=FFFFFF

I am curious about how you conclude that it is a solenoid?

I see universal joints on the mechanism and a linear sensor for feedback so it could very well be a servo motor.

It could be a servo motor. In terms of how fast the mechanism needs to be I think it is worth remembering that the wing position needs to be changed only one time at the beginning of the straight and one time at the end. After that there is plenty of time to prepare for the next switch.
Thinking about the switch from low downforce to high downforce, I think it would be possible to design a system in which a spring of some sort is loaded relatively slowly, to provide the force necessary to switch the position of the wing. A simple switch could release the spring and the switch would be istantaneous.

The switch to the opposite position (high downforce to low downforce) should require little to no energy, since the air itself would already be "pushing" in the right direction. Therefore you really need to "load" the spring once per zone.

[AR3-GP]

Great illustration, and a very useful reference point (I think that it also backs up my point as well!?); this worked because it was used by the driver to adjust the front wing and balance the car, in my experience a LinAc cannot be made to operate quickly enough for the ‘instant’ change required. At the same time rotary servo-motors would need to be synchronised side to side (anyone that has owned an original MX5/Miata/Eunos Roadster will be aware of the ‘winking’ phenomenon and operational time difference between two synchronised servo-motors!).
Hydraulic operation would allow you to move the bulk into the nose and retain small actuators, also the technology for hydraulic operation at speed is widely understood (been the de facto method for DRS since its introduction).

I hit the jackpot:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EpbwvXuXIAEkCSH.jpg

There are no hydraulics involved. It's a solenoid that moves the wing (electromagnet). Solenoids can be switched rapidly between two positions using electricity.


https://marvel-b1-cdn.bc0a.com/f0000000 ... nBg=FFFFFF

I am curious about how you conclude that it is a solenoid?

I see universal joints on the mechanism and a linear sensor for feedback so it could very well be a servo motor.

Right you are. That makes sense for 2010 where they could do fine adjustments (I think?).

Another approach is using a rear wing style actuator attached to the center of wing. It lifts the front of the flap up to reduce drag. Then it drops back down for Z mode. That also allows it to fail in z mode.

[edu2703]

I'm looking at these Red Bull renders and I suspect it actually is the RB22 (launch spec) and not the FIA car.









The FIA ​​show car is noticeably different from these photos. They even used a mock-up of the FIA ​​car in the presentation where you can see the differences from the render.

[wogx]

[AR3-GP]

https://i.imgur.com/oD1Y4jV.jpeg

This looks like fully developed car.

[AR3-GP]

strake can reduce drag on front tire?

[edu2703]

VCARB car render

I noticed differences compared to the Red Bull car, which further increases my suspicions they didn't use a generic model and these are possibly the real cars.

[AR3-GP]

VCARB car render

I noticed differences compared to the Red Bull car, which further increases my suspicions they didn't use a generic model and these are possibly the real cars.

https://i.imgur.com/WfBPjQR.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/otoy4TQ.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/2KOTFKg.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/k9hUXfY.jpeg

The VCARB looks more detailed and completed than the Red Bull. They have the front wing actuator in the model. I don't recall seeing this on the Audi that was testing in Barcelona.

[cplchanb]

How come no dedicated threads for the rb and vcarb????

[edu2703]

Red Bull x VCARB front wing

[Stu]

Red Bull x VCARB front wing

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G-wkAvtW0AA ... name=large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G-wkA0WWAAA ... name=large

If (a very big IF) these are true renditions of what to expect…
The VCARB has twin DRS actuators mounted on the wing main plane itself, splitting the flaps into three sections when activated; whereas the RB seems to have a single actuator under the nose operating the flaps as a whole.
I have my own thoughts on the merits (or otherwise) of each but discuss….