Aero, power units, rules
Formula 1 technical coverage: car upgrades, aerodynamics, power units and the technical regulations that shape the grid, broken down without the jargon.
McLaren debuts new front wing, rear wing, and floor components at the Brazil Grand Prix to regain momentum. Chief technical officer Peter Prodromou expects these updates to improve current performance and provide aerodynamic concepts for the 2027 challenger.
Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso both retired within six laps of the Mexico Grand Prix start after abnormal pressure levels in the power unit systems caused failures. Honda engineer Shintaro Orihara attributed the cooling circuit issues to the high altitude of the track.
Lewis Hamilton claims current engine profile settings and clipping prevent drivers from using slipstream power to overtake at the Mexican Grand Prix. Max Verstappen also reported inconsistent engine braking issues caused by high temperatures and demanding track conditions.
Bridgestone is mounting technical and commercial preparations to bid for the Formula 1 tire supply contract starting in 2029. Pirelli currently holds the exclusive contract through 2028, though the FIA plans to launch the next tender process around early 2027.
The FIA is collaborating with Amazon Web Services to implement artificial intelligence and cloud computing for 2030 car and engine regulations. This partnership utilizes high performance computing and neural networks to optimize aerodynamic simulations and monitor power unit performance.
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies stated the team is not having serious conversations to supply power units to other Formula 1 teams. Meanwhile, Aston Martin reaffirmed its commitment to Honda despite a 4% power deficit compared to Red Bull.
The FIA has introduced a proposal for 2030 or 2031 featuring V8 turbo-hybrid power units delivering 900 horsepower. This plan aims to reduce vehicle weight by 80kg and halve the annual engine budget cap to $95 million to prioritize more agile racing.
Pirelli maintains a competitive edge for the next Formula 1 tyre contract due to technical experience. Bridgestone and Michelin are monitoring the situation as potential bidders, though they face significant design hurdles if they attempt to enter the market in 2029.
Honda engineers discovered no hardware faults after investigating turbo lag issues reported by Fernando Alonso at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Shintaro Orihara noted that the energy-rich track conditions in Singapore prevented MGU-K harvesting from effectively compensating for the delay.
FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis plans to cut Formula 1 car weights by 80kg through power unit simplifications and smaller dimensions. This reduction aims to make cars two to three seconds faster while offsetting a projected 20kg to 25kg increase in fuel consumption.
General Motors president Mark Reuss announced the December 18 opening of a Cadillac engine factory in Charlotte, North Carolina. The facility will develop power units for the 2029 Formula 1 season following FIA approval for General Motors to act as a supplier.
McLaren introduces new upgrades and floor changes at the United States Grand Prix to address braking reliability and test 2027 development concepts. The team currently holds 339 points in the constructors' standings as they attempt to defend third place against a surging Red Bull.
The FIA is intervening in a technical dispute by mandating uniform rim cover shapes to stop teams like Red Bull and Mercedes from manipulating airflow. This standardization aims to reduce tire-induced turbulence and improve racing quality by stabilizing airflow for following cars.