At the Abu Dhabi post-season test, Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team showed off a prototype front wing — giving the first real glimpse of the design direction for 2026’s active-aero F1 cars.
The new setup features a “Straight Line Mode”: on straights the wing’s upper elements flatten to reduce drag, helping the car go faster — a replacement for the old DRS system.
This early test lets teams and tyre supplier Pirelli gather crucial data about how tyres, downforce and drag behave under 2026’s new regulations.