F1 Teams Unveil New Monaco Winglets After FIA Removes Active Aero for 2026 Race
Updated
Updated · The Race · Jun 4
F1 Teams Unveil New Monaco Winglets After FIA Removes Active Aero for 2026 Race
3 articles · Updated · The Race · Jun 4
Summary
Mercedes, McLaren and Red Bull rolled out the most elaborate rear-wing winglets at Monaco after the FIA barred active aero for the weekend, forcing teams to replace unused actuators with fixed downforce-generating parts.
The rule change was made because active aero offered little benefit on Monaco's slow layout and raised safety concerns, turning a one-off regulation tweak into a small design race across the grid.
Ferrari, Audi, Racing Bulls and Cadillac also fitted simpler versions, while Aston Martin and Haas judged the gain too small to justify the effort.
Teams expect only a few hundredths of a second from the new parts, so the unusual designs are unlikely to reshape the pecking order even if they draw the most attention in the paddock.