The FIA has published the technical and summary documents of all the updates brought by the teams at Imola for the seventh round of the Formula 1 season.
During the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, the Formula 1 teams introduced a long series of upgrades, many of which focused on the front wing. This component is the most affected by the updates, due to the entry into force of the new FIA directive that tightens checks on the flexing of the front flaps.
Almost all teams, in fact, updated the front wing, in some cases modifying the construction to comply with the new structural parameters (such as Haas, Red Bull, Williams, and Aston Martin), in others optimizing geometries and endplates to generate downforce more efficiently (such as Ferrari, Red Bull, and Sauber). Additionally, there were collateral interventions on the nose and floor, necessary to better manage the new flow conditions.
Another recurring theme concerned cooling: Williams and Mercedes worked on the rear corners and louvres, planning options with greater thermal dissipation capacity, probably in view of hotter events in the second half of the season.
But at the center of technical attention was a precise question: how much would this new regulation affect McLaren’s performance? The answer seems to be no impact. McLaren had already anticipated the change, bringing a wing compliant with the new specifications at Imola, demonstrating not only compliance but even being ahead of the regulations. This suggests that the competitiveness of the MCL39 will remain intact — if not strengthened — even with the new regulatory constraints.
Here are all the changes made to the new cars.
McLaren Formula 1 Team
No updates
Ferrari
Ferrari introduced two upgrades for the Spanish GP. The front wing was modified to improve localized downforce, consistent with a regulatory update. The rear wing, already seen at Imola, was optimized with new endplate geometries to increase aerodynamic efficiency on high-downforce tracks like Barcelona.
| Component | Reason | Differences | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front Wing | Performance – Local Load | Updated load distribution along chord and span, with revised endplate and outboard tip rolls | Not track-specific: introduced in conjunction with the update to Articles 3.15.4 and 3.15.5 of the technical regulations, effective from the Spanish GP |
| Rear Wing | Circuit specific – Drag Range | Redesigned outer ends (tip and roll) of the high downforce rear wing | 2024 version optimized at Imola with improved local geometries to increase downforce efficiently |
Red Bull
At the Spanish GP, Red Bull introduced a new front wing configuration to adapt to the regulatory changes effective from this race. The revision involved the first two elements and associated flaps, aiming to increase structural stiffness while keeping weight low and optimizing load distribution.
| Component | Reason | Differences | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front Wing | Performance – Local Load | Revision of the first two element sections, with consequential changes to flaps and tip | To comply with the 2025 technical regulations valid from the Spanish GP, the front wing geometry was revised to increase stiffness with minimal weight and optimize load characteristics |
Mercedes
Mercedes introduced three technical updates aimed at improving local downforce and aerodynamic flow management. Changes to the floor edge and floor fences increase downforce under the car by generating more vortices. The rear wing was adapted specifically for the Barcelona circuit, optimizing downforce and drag.
| Component | Reason | Differences | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floor Edge | Performance – Local Load | Increased floor edge chord with added vanes | The new vanes and increased chord improve flow under the front floor, increasing vortices generated by the floor fences and thus floor downforce |
| Floor Fences | Performance – Flow Conditioning | Redesigned inner fence profile | The new profile improves pressure distribution and vortex position, optimizing both local and downstream downforce thanks to better onset flow |
| Rear Wing | Performance – Local Load | Redesigned mainplane and flap profiles | Circuit-specific rear wing with increased camber to optimize local downforce and drag according to Barcelona efficiency requirements |
Aston Martin
Aston Martin updated the front wing to improve aerodynamic flow at the trailing edge and increase local downforce. The changes were also made to comply with the new TD018H technical directive.
| Component | Reason | Differences | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front Wing | Performance – Local Load | Revised details between wing elements and endplate. Main sections modified to meet TD018H | The tip revision improves flow around the wingtip, increasing downforce in that area. Section changes address structural needs |
Alpine
Alpine introduced two changes to the floor for the Spanish GP. The goal was to generate local downforce by improving airflow quality under the car. The changes involve reshaping the floor fences and slight local modifications to the floor body.
| Component | Reason | Differences | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floor Fences | Performance – Local Load | Reshaped floor fences | Floor fences were locally optimized to improve underside flow structures, increasing flow towards the floor and generating local downforce |
| Floor Body | Performance – Local Load | Local modifications to floor shape | Minimal and localized interventions on the floor to maximize the effect of the new fences and improve flow quality |
Haas
Haas modified the front wing construction to comply with new FIA technical requirements effective from May 28. This is a structural update related more to flap stiffness than aerodynamic development.
| Component | Reason | Differences | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front Wing | Performance – Mechanical Setup | Updated front wing construction | The 2025 technical regulations updated on April 7 introduced new limits on front wing flap flexing. The new rule came into effect May 28, and Haas had to adapt the wing construction accordingly |
Racing Bulls
Racing Bulls introduced three modifications aimed at improving flow conditioning. Updates were made to the central profile of the front wing, the endplate, and the lower nose section to optimize downstream flow efficiency and central section downforce. The changes also meet increased front wing stiffness requirements.
| Component | Reason | Differences | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front Wing | Performance – Flow Conditioning | New mainplane elements with lowered central section | The wing center works harder than the tips, changing downstream flow conditions. The update also meets new front wing stiffness requirements starting race 09 |
| Front Wing Endplate | Performance – Flow Conditioning | Updated connection between tip and front wing endplate | Flow around wing tips is three-dimensional; revised details reduce losses generated in that area of the flow |
| Nose | Performance – Flow Conditioning | Raised lower nose surface and lowered tip | The nose tip lowers to adapt to the new wing, while the raised lower surface increases center wing downforce and modifies downstream flow around the car |
Williams
Williams introduced three upgrades. The front wing was modified to comply with new flexing limits and improve flow towards the brake ducts and floor. The other two changes concern cooling: new rear brake duct exit geometries and an optional panel with more large louvres designed to increase engine cooling capacity in critical conditions.
| Component | Reason | Differences | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front Wing | Performance – Flow Conditioning | Updated rear flap and endplate geometries to meet new flexing limits | Geometric and construction changes reduce flex, alter front wing flow pattern, and improve front brake and front floor efficiency |
| Rear Corner | Circuit specific – Cooling Range | Revised rear brake duct exit geometry to limit flow | The new geometry changes brake duct airflow, improving cooling suited to Barcelona requirements |
| Cooling Louvres | Circuit specific – Cooling Range | Optional panel with maximum number of large louvres | Increases airflow through radiators, improving PU cooling at the expense of downforce and drag. Intended for Barcelona or later in the season |
Sauber
Sauber brought updates to three key components: floor, engine cover, and front wing. The changes aim to optimize local downforce and overall flow balance, focusing on floor-to-sidepod interaction and improving the flow generated by the front wing.
| Component | Reason | Differences | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floor Body | Performance – Local Load | Changes to floor fence, outer edge, and diffuser | Modifications aim to improve flow conditions from front to rear of the floor, achieving efficient and balanced downforce |
| Coke / Engine Cover | Performance – Local Load | Engine cover design changes | Sidepod surfaces were adapted to interact better with new floor developments, altering the upper floor flow |
| Front Wing | Performance – Local Load | Small modification in transition between mainplane and endplate | Local developments on the front wing endplate improve lateral efficiency and promote better downstream flow |
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