Todo se trata de aerodinámica (SPA-ENG)

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Respecto al diseño aerodinámico, todas las escuderías han introducido innovaciones siendo la más radical de lo visto hasta el momento el diseño de Adrian Newey, un coche muy distinto al resto con novedades sorpresivas que lo alejan totalmente de lo convencional, veremos si tantos cambios surten efecto o si por el contrario deberá guardar su orgullo y tomar la senda más conservadora y probada del tablero de dibujo de otros diseñadores exitosos. Es escaso el tiempo de pruebas utilizado hasta el momento para sacar conclusiones definitivas.

Finalmente pudo verse algo de Williams, el único equipo que no se presentó en Barcelona ha realizado sus primeras pruebas privada y si bien no se conoce demasiado de sus innovaciones, si han llegado algunas primeras impresiones y la principal es que el nuevo FW48 ha retomado el diseño de suspensión delantera del tipo pull-rod, mismo camino que solo otras 2 escuderías han implementado esta temporada: Alpine y Cadillac, el resto se ha inclinado por el sistema push-rod, ambos mecanismo de suspensión tienen ventajas y desventajas, dependerá su elección de las soluciones aerodinámicas implementadas para determinar cual colabora de mejor forma en el vehículo.

Hay muchísima más información y detalles apasionantes, seguramente continuaré en otras publicaciones.

It's all about aerodynamics

Following the conclusion of testing at the Montmeló circuit in Barcelona, ​​Formula 1 has revealed several of the different solutions implemented to tackle a challenging 2026 season, driven by an extreme set of regulations that has shaken the foundations of every team.

A bit of everything has been on display, and it's clear that most teams have focused their efforts on the aerodynamic aspects of their car designs. Everyone assumes that at this stage, the engines won't offer a significant advantage, so the difference will lie in how well they manage the power on the straights and, especially, in the corners, where lap times are achieved.

It has been explained countless times that starting this year, DRS will be discontinued and replaced by an active aerodynamics system with two modes called Z and X (they haven't exactly gone to great lengths to come up with clever names). Z mode stands for "high downforce," and X mode for "low drag."

Both methods will be activated by the driver during the race according to their needs, combined with the so-called "overtake mode," a "push to pass" already familiar in other categories. This is simply an extra boost provided by the power unit. In theory, this tool will allow for more overtaking than in previous seasons, where boredom has been widespread in this crucial aspect of motorsport. Of course, the vehicle being overtaken will also have the right to use this boost to defend itself, which means there may not be a definitive solution to the problem. Driving will indeed be more complex since the battery is depleted more quickly in this situation, and therein lies the crux of the matter. Each driver will have to learn to manage both the active aerodynamics and the extra boost, especially the latter, since running out of energy reserves will make them easy prey for their pursuer, or conversely, the efforts of the driver behind to gain a position will be thwarted.

In the rear wing movement mechanism, only one team has completely deviated from the conventional: Alpine has chosen to lower the part of the wing instead of opening it. Cadillac has a mixed system where part of it lowers and part of it opens, the rest only opening it in a movement similar to the obsolete DRS.

Regarding aerodynamic design, all the teams have introduced innovations, with Adrian Newey's design being the most radical seen so far. His car is very different from the rest, with surprising innovations that completely depart from the conventional. We'll see if so many changes have an effect, or if, on the contrary, he'll have to swallow his pride and take the more conservative and tried-and-tested path of other successful designers. The testing period so far is too short to draw definitive conclusions.

Finally, we got a glimpse of Williams, the only team that didn't show up in Barcelona. They've completed their first private tests, and while not much is known about their innovations, some initial impressions have emerged. The main one is that the new FW48 has returned to a pull-rod front suspension design, a path only two other teams have adopted this season: Alpine and Cadillac. The rest have opted for a push-rod system. Both suspension mechanisms have advantages and disadvantages, and the choice will depend on the aerodynamic solutions implemented to determine which one best suits the car.

There's much more information and exciting details, which I'll surely continue in future posts.