2026 Formula 1:
A new Era, new Challenges
The 2026 regulations mark a pivotal shift in F1 design.
At VFluid Advanced Technologies, we have taken on this challenge head-on, developing a fully compliant 2026 F1 concept that showcases our expertise in cutting-edge aerodynamic design and computational fluid dynamics (CFD).
-
A fully 2026 regs compliant model has been designed.
​
-
The model has been refined to be representative in performance and Flowfield.
​
-
An aeromap has been obtained to understand performance.
​
-
The model is ready to test new concepts or for benchmarking purposes.
Our deep roots in Formula 1 aerodynamics and CFD have allowed us to anticipate the challenges that teams will face with the upcoming regulatory changes. The development of our 2026 F1 concept has provided invaluable insights into optimizing aerodynamic performance under the new ruleset, reinforcing our position as experts in high-performance vehicle aerodynamics.
​
With a background in top-tier motorsport, including F1 and Endurance Racing, our team understands the complexities of designing within strict regulatory frameworks. Our work has not only prepared us to assist F1 teams in navigating this transition but also offers hypercar and supercar manufacturers access to the same world-class tools and methodologies that the biggest players in motorsport rely on.
F1 2026 Development​​
Building a 2026 rules-compliant model was just the beginning. We went beyond conceptual design, conducting extensive CFD simulations and iterative development loops to refine the model and ensure it closely mirrors the performance characteristics of a real F1 car set to compete in the 2026 season.
​
Our objective? To establish a representative aerodynamic flowfield (not seeking performance). This allows us to analyze key aerodynamic areas, assess design sensitivities, and evaluate how different configurations impact overall performance.
After our initial development cycle, we arrived at our F1 2026 baseline model (developed prior to the latest regulatory update in Issue9 from October 2024), achieving the following aerodynamic figures:
​
-
SCz: -2.47
-
SCx: 1.11
-
Aerobalance: 42% Front
This provides a solid foundation with representative aerodynamic efficiency, balance, and flowfield accuracy, making it a valuable tool for:
​
-
Motorsport teams looking to fast-track their development with an advanced starting point.
​
-
Aerodynamic analysis to quantify how specific design elements contribute to overall performance.
​
-
Comparative benchmarking for other racing categories seeking to understand their aerodynamic positioning relative to F1.
F1 2026 Aeromapping​​
To truly assess the capabilities of our 2026 F1 concept, we needed to go beyond static performance metrics. A race car’s aerodynamic behavior changes significantly depending on speed, ride height, pitch, yaw, and other dynamic factors. Understanding these variations is key to optimizing overall performance and ensuring consistent handling across different track conditions.
​
To achieve this, we conducted an aeromapping of our design, creating a detailed aerodynamic profile that simulates how the car reacts in various conditions. While our aero map is a simplification compared to real-world track data, it provides critical insights into performance trends and sensitivities.
The results show that the weighted average performance of this F1 car spec is roughly CdA 1.11 and CzA of -2.47.
As mentioned before, the aero map can be used to understand how the car would behave around a track and if there are any sensitivities that need to be corrected. Some of the information this aero map shows:
​
-
A reduction in SCz at low RHs is accompanied by a reduction in SCx, this is a positive feature for straight line performance.
​
-
Overall, the SCz range across the map is roughly 0.35 SCz which accounts for roughly 14% of the total SCz, the range variation is too large and should be addressed.
​
-
The SCz performance improves at higher rake angles.
​
-
The aero balance varies mostly with pitch while it remains consistent with heave.
​
-
The yaw sensitivity graph shows a low sensitivity from the front end of the car with a higher sensitivity at the back of the car as the yaw increases. Nearly double the amount of rear downforce is lost compared to front downforce when the car is yawed by 4deg. This also highlights another area of potential improvement.
You might be wondering, why is aeromapping so important? Read our blog about it!
Regulations Update - Issue09
Our development is an ongoing process. We have updated the geometry to align with the latest regulatory changes from Issue9 from October 2024 and are currently running a new round of CFD simulations.
​
Stay tuned - our latest results will be shared soon…
Trusted by the Best
Beyond our Formula 1 experience, VFluid Advanced Technologies is the official FIA partner for aerodynamic homologation in the World Endurance Championship (WEC). This trust from the governing body of global motorsport is a testament to our technical excellence and commitment to precision. When you work with us, you are not just hiring an engineering consultancy - you are gaining access to the same expertise, tools, and know-how that drive the pinnacle of motorsport performance.
Bringing F1 Technology to Your Project​​
One of the key advantages of partnering with VFluid Advanced Technologies is the opportunity to integrate F1-level technology into your project, whether it be a racing team, a hypercar manufacturer, or an advanced mobility initiative.
The resources and expertise that are typically out of reach for most companies become accessible through our consultancy, enabling you to compete at the highest levels of performance and innovation.
Contact Us Today​​​
​
Partner with the team trusted by the FIA to deliver motorsport-grade performance and cost-efficient solutions to your project.
​
Whether you're an motorsport team looking for aerodynamic development support, a hypercar manufacturer aiming to push the boundaries of performance or a technology-driven enterprise seeking cutting-edge expertise, VFluid Advanced Technologies is your gateway to elevate the aerodynamic performance of your project to the next level.
​​
​
Contact us today to discover how we can bring our F1 and FIA-backed expertise to your project.
​​​