The 2026 revolution is approaching, with the first collective tests scheduled for late January, where teams will evaluate the work carried out over the past few years. But how are new F1 cars created, and what is the development path in the simulator? Motorsport.com spoke with Dynisma, the company supplying simulators to several F1 teams, to find out more.
As Formula 1 approaches one of the most significant technical revolutions in its recent history, with the 2026 cars ready to debut in winter testing at the end of January, one aspect often remains behind the scenes: the process that gives life to the next-generation cars. In reality, the regulatory revolution does not start on track—it begins in the simulator.
Long before a single bolt is assembled or a scale model enters the wind tunnel, the car takes shape in the virtual world, moving from CFD to the simulator, allowing teams to anticipate behaviors, compromises, and design directions. It is here, far before asphalt, that much of a car’s destiny is decided.
Starting from a blank sheet
But where do engineers begin when they need to develop a car from a blank sheet for a technical cycle that has very little in common with the previous one? Paradoxically, it starts with the regulations being replaced—in this case, the ground effect rules.
Early concept work
It’s true that teams could not work on the aerodynamics of the new cars in wind tunnels before January 2025, but this did not mean engineers were idle in the preceding months. Preliminary work had already begun, taking advantage of every margin allowed by the regulations to prepare the ground for the 2026 revolution.
From the moment the first drafts of the new regulations were published, technical departments began developing initial concepts in the simulator environment, advancing or discarding ideas that, from January onwards, were tested more thoroughly in the wind tunnel, laying the foundations for the future cars.
Even in a completely renewed technical cycle, development starts from a known base, especially in the simulator. Engineers use a validated model as a stable reference, progressively applying modifications to understand how each change alters the car’s behavior.
Understanding the new regulations
Motorsport.com spoke with Dynisma, one of the leading simulator providers for Formula 1, and Nikhil Garrett, Head of Driving Simulation at Dynisma and an engineer with extensive F1 experience, including with Ferrari, to understand how a car’s development begins.
“For the new 2026 regulations, as soon as the rules are available, you can start initial tests of the car concept in the simulator. You can take your current car model, for example the 2025 car, and apply modifications such as the new wheelbase, approximate changes in aerodynamic load, or new power unit characteristics,” Garrett explained.
This is mainly an exploratory phase, but it forms the foundation for all subsequent work. Starting from a known base, engineers apply modifications, such as reducing aerodynamic load or shortening the wheelbase, to anticipate the implications of the new regulations and understand how these will influence design choices when creating the first concepts.
“As you continue simulation work and start identifying what compromises the new regulations require, and what becomes more or less important, the actual design phase begins. You develop the first aerodynamic package, the initial suspension concept,” Garrett continued.
Once these implications are understood, which give engineers a comprehensive picture of how the new rules will affect the car, the study of virtual concepts begins in parallel. Project data developed virtually is gradually reintegrated into the simulator model, where the driver performs further tests, creating a continuous cycle of refining the concept.
“This process continues. When the first models hit the wind tunnel, more precise aerodynamic data is obtained. This too is used to update the simulator model, evaluate its impact on drivability, and continue the refinement cycle, ultimately leading to an optimized virtual concept ready for track debut in winter testing.”
Building on a known model
Chassis development began in 2024, following the publication of the first regulatory drafts, which were later significantly revised at the teams’ request. Power unit development started even earlier. The future unit rules were defined as early as 2022, allowing engine manufacturers to begin work several seasons in advance to be ready for the 2026 revolution.
Again, development starts from a known base: the previous cycle’s power unit model (since thermally, the V6 architecture remains the same). Engineers apply early modifications required by the new rules, from removing the MGU-H to increasing electric power, up to the parameters expected under the 2026 regulations.
“This gives you a model whose characteristics are already known, but allows you to understand the effects of these changes on car performance. It also helps to identify the new compromises required by the regulations. Changing the rules, increasing electric power, and modifying the aerodynamic package also changes design priorities.”
This study phase is crucial because it identifies development priorities and outlines which areas need the most attention, particularly energy management and drivability, which will be key in the next technical cycle.
Development proceeds in parallel with the chassis. The aim is to understand which aspects will have the most impact under the new rules, from drag reduction to aerodynamic efficiency, to design choices that will most influence overall performance, both in lap times and long-run efficiency.
“For a new car model, the only available data initially is design data: CFD, wind tunnel, engine bench. So before the car hits the track, there is a certain level of confidence in the model. But the truth is, even today, with high-fidelity data and models, there are always small differences between expectations and the car’s real behavior.”
Clearly, once the car has been studied virtually, only the track can provide the final answers engineers seek. The simulator allows teams to arrive at debut tests with a strong understanding, especially when equipped with high-level hardware and quality data, but the ultimate proving ground remains the track.
“Today, data quality is such that, even before the debut, teams have good confidence in expected behavior. But only real track data confirms correlation. From that moment, the model can be used to prepare race weekends, work on setup, and ensure predictions are accurate, saving precious track time.”
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