The FIA has released a updated version of the 2026 F1 car after revisions made to the Technical Regulations over the year since it was released.
When the 2026 F1 car was first released by the FIA, there were some apprehensions from the drivers about certain parts of the car. Despite it being slightly shorter and lighter than the current machines, they felt tweaks are needed to make it drivable at the pace they do.
Over the year, several revisions have been made after F1 Commission meets, which were ratified at the World Motor Sports Council meets. After the latest one undertaken in Rwanda, the FIA released an updated version of how the 2026 cars will look like.
The first striking difference that one could asses are the front and rear wings. Looking at the former, the endplate has changed where now there is an ear-like fin rather than a shark fin on the edge of the endplate. In fact, the wing on the whole is a bit more U in shape and outward than its previous version.
The nose looks a bit slimmer too in the latest version, with subtle changes made on the floor, front suspension and the rims too. Looking at the rear wing, the endplate now doesn’t have any cuts on the edges and the wing itself has layers than the older version.
Looking at the sidepod, the cooling vents are now visible on the side of the car on the rear which wasn’t placed in the old version. There should be more internal changes, as the teams are preparing for larger work on the new cars from January 1, 2025, onward.
New cars –
Older version –
Here’s latest FIA WMSC decisions from Rwanda meet
Here’s FIA on F1 drivers’ meet in Qatar
Here’s what F1 drivers said of F1 2026 regs
Here’s first look at F1 2026 regs – the older cars too
Here’s link to a F1 Discord channel, join in to interact
