Continue to discuss the regulation which will characterize the new era of Formula 1 starting from the season 2026, without Venturi channels. The FIA, in addition to predicting major changes in the Power Unit plan, has also foreseen changes regarding theaerodynamics. George Piola, who is one of the leading experts in the technical analysis of single-seaters, explained through graphic projections how the bottom part of the cars will actually be revolutionized. In fact, we can see how i Venturi channels will disappear completely from Formula 1. Instead we will return to having gods flat bottoms.
2026 regulation and Venturi channels: a step back compared to 2022
The single-seaters with which Verstappen, Norris, Leclerc and all the others are currently entertaining us belong to that generation of cars born with the regulatory change of 2022. At the time, one of the innovations that had the greatest influence on the technical development of recent years was the introduction of the Venturi channels, with the aim of making the most of the ground effect thanks to a more elaborate bottom. The use of the elaborate car floor had returned to F1 after a long time 39 years, since it was banned in 1983 for safety reasons (Forghieri, 2022). This solution, however, will soon make a comeback in the world championship after only four seasons.
In 2026 the return of cars with a flat bottom
The total abandonment of the aerodynamic philosophy adopted in 2022 will consequently lead to a return of the flat bottom and eliminating, as well as the Venturi channels, also the flow diverters and vortex generators which, as he always explains Motorsport.com, "have the task of pushing the air outside the rear wheels, energizing the low pressure area that goes from the center of the car towards the rear". The FIA therefore decided to cancel the ground effect, with the aim of reducing the downforce by around 30% and reducing the resistance to advancement of 55%.
The teams are perplexed about the future performance of the single-seaters
The designers will therefore have to test themselves with these new criteria imposed by the FIA, which comes into force end of June will finally have to formalize the current draft of the new regulation. However, some teams have already shown theirs perplexity with respect to the many expected changes. After Toto wolff, who publicly admitted the need to make changes, too Andrea Stella, main team McLaren, he seemed doubtful. In fact, the Italian engineer said he was worried about the speed of the 2026 cars, too slow in corners and too fast on the straights.
In short, while the 2024 World Cup is not even at its halfway point, the 2026 season seems to have already started well in advance.
SOURCE: motorsport.com
