Caution is always required when analysing Formula 1 launches – especially with the introduction of new regulations. A few years ago, Red Bull played games with its sidepod inlets by showing different designs at the launch in Milton Keynes and on renders. During the subsequent test days in Bahrain, the design was different again, which illustrates the steps teams take to stop rivals gaining more insight than necessary during the pre-season.
Having said that, the first runs with 2026 machinery have shown some interesting lines of thinking from teams. The higher rake philosophy – familiar from the period until 2021 – has returned to some extent, most teams have so far reverted to a pushrod front suspension, and Ferrari has shown the on-track working of active aerodynamics for the first time.
