New Mercedes entrance wing provides first take a look at F1 2026

Through the post-season take a look at on the Yas Marina Circuit, System 1 groups are given 9 hours to assemble knowledge about Pirelli’s 2026 tyres.

The take a look at is carried out utilizing mule automobiles – ground-effect equipment modified to imitate 2026’s decrease downforce ranges. All groups run with decreased wing ranges (corresponding to Monza) and altered experience heights to shed downforce.

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An attention-grabbing facet is that the FIA has permitted groups to run sure prototypes in Tuesday’s take a look at. One space the place this is applicable is the entrance wing.

DRS will disappear from F1 in 2026 and get replaced by energetic aerodynamics, which means drivers will open each the entrance and rear wings on each straight. Consequently, the entrance wing will turn out to be an energetic part too, in contrast to in earlier seasons.

Mercedes prototype attracts consideration within the pitlane

A primary glimpse of the long run could be seen in Abu Dhabi on the Mercedes mule automotive pushed by Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The automotive is supplied with a Straight Line Mode system, permitting the entrance wing to generate much less drag on the straights.

Mercedes’ system at this take a look at is way from refined, with an actuation system on the higher wing parts related to the nostril cone with through massive tubing. This permits the wing to modify to a low-downforce configuration on the straights, mirroring what might be utilized in a extra refined manner in 2026.

Mercedes entrance wing element

Picture by: Zak Mauger / LAT Photographs through Getty Photographs

Ferrari has additionally gained expertise with an identical idea. The Scuderia examined its personal prototype throughout a personal mule-car take a look at and has additionally introduced its personal system to Abu Dhabi.

In addition to providing groups early perception into energetic aerodynamics, these prototypes additionally present invaluable knowledge to Pirelli. The Italian tyre provider can evaluate mule automobiles operating with out energetic entrance aerodynamics to these outfitted with the system.

“Speaking in regards to the entrance Straight Line Mode, the FIA gave the chance to the groups to develop a system that was replicating this on the entrance wing. In that case, clearly, they do not should adjust to the pace restrict restriction,” Pirelli’s Mario Isola defined. Mule automobiles have a pace restrict of about 300km/h on straights to keep away from overloading the tyres.

“It is also helpful for us as a result of you may evaluate a automotive that’s operating with out the system with a automotive that’s operating with the system. After we did the primary take a look at with Ferrari with the system, it was actually helpful to know and to check this take a look at with all the opposite assessments, when it comes to load and what we achieved, to know and to make the opposite assessments extra consultant.”

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Picture by: Clive Rose / System 1 through Getty Photographs

Groups additionally experimenting with new wheel rims

Along with the energetic entrance wing, some groups are operating wheel rims that type a hybrid answer between present rims and people deliberate for 2026.

“In some instances, groups ask for testing rims just like those they’ll use subsequent yr, once they clearly have extra freedom in designing the rim. And so they have been licensed by the FIA to do a sure variety of runs with the brand new rims.”

Nonetheless, the outcomes of these assessments will not be fully consultant for subsequent yr, as tyre warmth administration additionally closely is dependent upon the brakes – and the brakes might be completely different in 2026. All groups in Abu Dhabi are nonetheless operating the current-spec brakes.

Photographs from Abu Dhabi Publish-Season Testing

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari