2026 F1 Cars - General Thread

[AR3-GP]

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….

I don't think the middle section is mobile on any car (although it's not that clear in the regulations). Regardless, the current VCARB render wouldn't be able to move the middle section. There are two small supports connecting the middle section to the mainplane at the front, so we know that won't move.

The thing you see on the Red Bull is (imo) just a support strut. The actuator mechanism is not in the rendering.

[collindsilva]

Can we get a launch dates for all cars, previously we had separate thread...

[PlatinumZealot]

The differences bewteen RB and VCARB says It's going to be 2010 again for front wings. It's definitley going to be a battlezone area for development and loopholes will be found and contested.

[mzso]

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.

So what are "clauses (d), (j), and (k)"?

[Seanspeed]

Red Bull x VCARB front wing

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

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

Incredible difference in underside of the sidepods. Red Bull is very narrow waisted, while the Toro Rosso is quite the opposite. Again, assuming any of the sidepods are a real representation of the real cars.

[Xyz22]

Cadillac shakedown

https://x.com/Qvist_Designs/status/2012 ... 88576?s=20

[AR3-GP]

Rake

[AR3-GP]

Another "feature" of these 2026 cars seems to be a bargeboard strut. Its present on the Cadillac and it's visible in the VCARB renders.

[AR3-GP]

Further discussion on active front wing details:



The optimum solution to me would be a central system actuated by an electric solenoid. When the coil is energized, the solenoid lifts the flaps up. Cut the power and the wing closes. There would be a spring that preloads the wing in the down position. This design is also fail safe so if the solenoid fails for some reason, the wing would return to the down position.

[kptaylor]

Another "feature" of these 2026 cars seems to be a bargeboard strut. Its present on the Cadillac and it's visible in the VCARB renders.

Can these have aerodynamic "covers" on them in the regs? That might explain why they all look plain now. Area to innovate?

[mzso]

Rake

With the car's show car level of detail, it's not really indicative of anything.

Further discussion on active front wing details:

https://i.postimg.cc/prMB4bLr/image.png

The optimum solution to me would be a central system actuated by an electric solenoid. When the coil is energized, the solenoid lifts the flaps up. Cut the power and the wing closes. There would be a spring that preloads the wing in the down position. This design is also fail safe so if the solenoid fails for some reason, the wing would return to the down position.

Optimum, why? Judging by this tweet an ultra weight reduced double actuator one would be the best, since clearly that is which weighs more.
Maybe they should actuate it with cables.

[AR3-GP]

Rake

With the car's show car level of detail, it's not really indicative of anything.

Further discussion on active front wing details:

https://i.postimg.cc/prMB4bLr/image.png

The optimum solution to me would be a central system actuated by an electric solenoid. When the coil is energized, the solenoid lifts the flaps up. Cut the power and the wing closes. There would be a spring that preloads the wing in the down position. This design is also fail safe so if the solenoid fails for some reason, the wing would return to the down position.

Optimum, why? Judging by this tweet an ultra weight reduced double actuator one would be the best, since clearly that is which weighs more.
Maybe they should actuate it with cables.

I disagree with the author about weight.

[vorticism]

...

Items not yet given much attention online:

Diffuser winglet. It seems like that there will be a common, FIA supplied 3-element wing that will attach to the side of the diffuser. It’s unclear to me what it is called. It looks like previous years’ rear brake duct wings, just attached to the diffuser. It is barely visible on early FIA renderings and the Audi livery renderings. The “Diffuser Winglet” allowance seems to be a single element flap that the teams can add to the top of the common 3-element wing. It must only be single-section, but obviously in official renderings there’s a four element wing in that area, so this is how I’ve resolved the discrepancy for myself.

...

Visible in blue here.


Screenshot from: https://x.com/Qvist_Designs/status/2012 ... 38357?s=20

[Vappy]

...

Items not yet given much attention online:

Diffuser winglet. It seems like that there will be a common, FIA supplied 3-element wing that will attach to the side of the diffuser. It’s unclear to me what it is called. It looks like previous years’ rear brake duct wings, just attached to the diffuser. It is barely visible on early FIA renderings and the Audi livery renderings. The “Diffuser Winglet” allowance seems to be a single element flap that the teams can add to the top of the common 3-element wing. It must only be single-section, but obviously in official renderings there’s a four element wing in that area, so this is how I’ve resolved the discrepancy for myself.

...

Visible in blue here.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G-25F2BWsAA ... name=large
Screenshot from: https://x.com/Qvist_Designs/status/2012 ... 38357?s=20

Is there a brake duct restriction this year that goes hand in hand with that allowed diffuser winglet?

[vorticism]

Yes, no more brake duct wings.