The Race F1 Tech Show The key tech trends of F1's 2026 cars
12 snips
Feb 2, 2026 
Mark Hughes, veteran F1 journalist with aerodynamic and historical insight, and Gary Anderson, former F1 technical director and car designer, discuss 2026 car design trends. They debate active aero choices, front-wing and mounting trade-offs. They explore sidepod philosophies, diffuser slots, oversized airboxes, cooling and battery compromises. They highlight extreme suspension geometries and which cars stood out in testing.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Front Tyre Wake Still Central To Performance
- The front tyre wake and the bargeboard/leading-floor region remain critical to underfloor performance.
- Teams use multi-louvered front-corner elements to pull tyre wake through slot gaps and manage inwash/outwash.
Close Loopholes Early, Not Midseason
- If the FIA wants to limit outwash loopholes, act early and mandate impervious surfaces now.
- Quick rule changes early in the season are better than retroactive fixes after widespread development.
Distinct Sidepod Paths Reflect Packaging Tradeoffs
- Sidepod approaches cluster: slim, heavily downwashed tubes vs wider, milder downwash solutions.
- Choices reflect radiator packaging and efforts to manage top-surface lift and outwash.