Audi R26

[AR3-GP]

Front wing is different in almost every way from the one we saw in Barcelona. Two bulky front wing actuators (like Racing Bulls) are a surprise tbh
https://i.postimg.cc/sxVP0hz4/Audi-front-wing.jpg

I think they didn't use an active front wing flap in Barcelona.

[Lasssept]

[wiktor977]

Front wing is different in almost every way from the one we saw in Barcelona. Two bulky front wing actuators (like Racing Bulls) are a surprise tbh
https://i.postimg.cc/sxVP0hz4/Audi-front-wing.jpg

I think they didn't use an active front wing flap in Barcelona.

What do you think about this solution? It looks to be obstructing much more area than a single actuator under the nose but it looks like clean airflow under the nose is much more important for them

[SB15]

Damn that looks wild. Now we need a shot of the floor leading edge area.

This looks like so many ideas blended in one

[Badger]

Maybe they are trying to take advantage of that extra floor area by the leading edge of the floor by extending the sidepod forward on the inside, like vorticism was talking about with RBR.

[AR3-GP]

I think we have our answer. They are using the sidepod to extend the floor inlet (similar to Red Bull).

[Luscion]

[ClassicLivery]

looks pretty wild from this angle!

[PlatinumZealot]

https://i.imgur.com/GSZ0rsP.jpeg

Ozempi-pods!

[AeroDude]

We should examine the car from a top-view because, judging by the position of the side impact structure relative to the inlet, it seems likely that the inlet has been extended forward. This extension likely aims to capture "cleaner" air (lower volume relative to speed) instead of the turbulent air from the front tyre wake, which is beneficial for cooling. However, this design choice also means that the floor is more exposed to the majority of the front wheel wake.

My initial hypothesis, is that the gap between the sidepod and the trailing edge of the bargeboard structure needs to be as narrow as possible (obviously its a compromise) for two main reasons:

1. A smaller gap increases the airflow velocity, which helps develop a stronger vortex along the floor edge.
2. When the sidepod is in yaw, it generates high pressure that pushes the wheel wake outward.

[bananapeel23]

https://ibb.co/C3qZbqt9

looks pretty wild from this angle!

This looks absolutely wild. Reminds me a lot of late 90s, early 2000s designs, even if I suspect the similarities are mostly coincidental, rather than convergent. It also has some interesting similarities to the 2011 McLaren with that water slide along the top of the sidepod.

I wonder what they are trying to accomplish. I'm guessing it's primarily outwashing, but it feels like such a weird way of accomplishing it compared to, for instance, the 2022 Ferrari solution. I'd love to see a good shot of how the sidepod interacts with the floor.

This concept is absolutely wild. I haven't been this shocked by a car concept since the W13. Hopefully it proves more successful than the W13 was.

[AR3-GP]

https://i.imgur.com/GSZ0rsP.jpeg

Ozempi-pods!

I would say goblin-pods.

[FNTC]

[arunn]

This is why we need more manufacturers on the grid, there's many different ways of looking at the world if you see it upside down then maybe you vertical inlets instead of horizontal. Instead of going straight and trying to play catch up you go sideways(pun intended) from the rest of the boring pack.
Other than the racing I am most excited to see how this particular design and car develop over the season(s)

[MV8]

Look at that floor inlet