Technical updates: 2026 F1 Japanese Grand Prix
Red Bull has introduced an upgrade package as it looks to address its early handling difficulties at the Japanese Grand Prix.
The focal point of Red Bull’s development is the sidepod inlet, where the team has revised the design and had to make associated changes as a result. The team says “to ingest higher pressure air to the sidepod inlet from upstream, the profile has been revised based upon simulation and initial running results yielding improved efficiency.”
The engine cover on the Red Bull has also been changed to meet the new sidepod inlet, as has the floor – a change that makes use of the improved efficiency to be able to increase load. Separately, there have been minor changes made to the rear wheel bodywork for cooling purposes at Suzuka, in order to better suit the demands of the brake materials being used.
Ferrari has also submitted new components in Japan, with a revised front brake duct featuring smaller geometry that provides external aerodynamic benefits. There is also an evolution of the front floor stay faring, with Ferrari stating it improves local flow features and returns floor performance gains.
A relatively significant change at Williams relates to its front suspension, with the team making improvements to the internal structures. That has the knock-on impact of requiring a revised set of suspension claddings to offer more efficient packaging options, with Williams attempting to mitigate the aerodynamic impact downstream.
Aston Martin might be battling issues with the Honda power unit but it has brought a new front wing and floor in search of greater aerodynamic performance. The front wing developments focus both on the wing itself and the endplate, while the floor leading edge has been tweaked to improve load across the entire width of the floor span.
Haas has simplified its front wing "Straight Mode" actuation system with smaller exposed geometries, while at Alpine there is a redesigned front deflector and updated rear wing. The rear wing change sees the elements reprofiled, as well as changes to the lower part of the endplates.
Cadillac also has an update, with a new diffuser in Japan. The team says the diffuser fence has been “redesigned with a lower profile to enhance overall ride height behavior and improve aerodynamic performance across the operating envelope,” while the central diffuser has been optimized to increase performance and local load.
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