One of the most talked-about changes for 2026 is the disappearance of the drag reduction system that fans had grown used to over more than a decade. In its place, cars now run a fully active aerodynamic system that adjusts automatically rather than at the push of a button in a designated zone.
Two Distinct Configurations
The new system operates in two broad states. A low-drag, straight-line configuration flattens the front and rear wing elements to minimize resistance and maximize top speed. A high-downforce, cornering configuration closes those elements back up to generate the grip needed to carry speed through a corner. Cars switch between the two automatically as they move around a lap, rather than relying on a driver-operated flap limited to specific straights.
Why This Replaced DRS
The old system was criticized for creating overtakes that felt automatic rather than earned, since a trailing car within a set time gap simply gained a speed boost regardless of how the corner had actually been driven. The new full-car active aero approach is intended to reduce the turbulent wake a leading car leaves behind in the first place, making close following possible across more of the lap rather than compensating for the problem on a handful of straights.
An Adjustment for Drivers
Reports from the opening races of the season suggest the switch has taken some adjustment. Because energy harvesting and aerodynamic mode are now linked in ways they weren't before, drivers have needed to relearn exactly when lifting off the throttle or coasting will trigger changes to both their battery state and their car's aerodynamic behavior at the same time.
Early Verdict
Opinion within the paddock has been mixed so far. Some believe the new approach is already producing closer racing through tricky sections that used to be impossible to challenge on, while others have argued the cars feel less predictable and more difficult to drive with total confidence than the previous generation.