The FIA shared the latest evolution of the 2026 F1 car after the World Council approved the regulations, allowing teams to begin wind tunnel studies starting from January 1.
The agile cars, as they have been named by Nikolas Tombazis, technical director of the FIA’s single-seater department, have undergone several layout changes compared to the renderings released in June following the presentation of the regulations concerning the chassis.
The teams contributed to reviewing certain aerodynamic aspects of the cars to increase aerodynamic downforce and find a better energy distribution throughout the lap. It’s important to note that the involvement of the teams has helped make the 2026 cars more aligned with expectations, both in terms of design—definitely more aesthetically pleasing—and performance, ensuring that Formula 1 remains the technological pinnacle of global motorsport.
Upon a first look at the renderings, a different interpretation of the wings emerges: the nose is no longer almost lying on the first of the three profiles of the front wing, but is slightly raised thanks to two supporting fins. This has increased the airflow under the chassis to improve the air filling directed to the floor.
The front wing maintains the three elements that make it up, but the movable flap will have a greater chord with a more curved design. Important changes are seen in the outer part of the side pod, which will create a channel for the outwash of the airflow, thanks to the introduction of a new flow deviator that will certainly help modify the wake of the front wheel.
The rear wing also seems to be characterized by three elements, with the leading edge not being straight but instead showing a slightly arrow-shaped design, and the second element’s chord significantly increased to offer more adjustment options with active movements. The side pods have also been revised, with an extension of the surface and a curvature more similar to today’s designs. The DRS actuator that appeared in the June sketch has rightfully disappeared in the most recent rendering.
The floor has been completely redesigned: it initially showed a raised rib compared to the completely flat floor, extending towards the rear and following the prominent bargeboard introduced behind the front wheel, echoing a concept closer to the F1 cars of 2021. This flow deviator was very simple and its purpose was to guide the losses caused by the turbulence generated by the front tire outward, but now it can contribute to generating local downforce.
The floor has therefore become perfectly flat, showing a diffuser elbow that seems to rise earlier than in the original version, and even the Coca-Cola zone appears more refined, with a much sleeker sidepod shape. In this configuration, the thermal management of the power unit no longer happens entirely at the rear, as there are now openings at the root of the much slimmer engine cover, just like today. In the front intake of the floor, there are five flow deviators that were not included in the first regulatory draft.
The radiator intake, which is oval-shaped, in this second interpretation shows a hint of an upper cover extending forward, following the more embryonic solutions proposed for 2024.
Another noteworthy change is the disappearance of the wheel cover, replaced by a small vent that no longer fully encloses the wheel, providing a pleasing aesthetic effect that could also align with various technical choices.
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