P1racenews AI automatic summary:
RacingNews365 technical expert Paolo Filisetti explains how Ferrari has overhauled its steering wheel concept — with the help of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc — to cope with active aerodynamics and complex energy management under F1’s 2026 regulations.
The 2026 technical revolution in Formula 1 is not only about aerodynamic and power unit regulations but also about reimagining familiar elements like the steering wheel.
Ferrari has given a glimpse of the changes by completely redesigning the steering wheel to adapt to the new rules, including active aerodynamics and energy management.
Although the basic concept of the wheel remains the same, the interaction between drivers and the car will undergo significant evolution.
Drivers will now have to manage energy deployment and activate specific aerodynamic modes manually on a sector-by-sector basis to ensure optimal performance.
The increased complexity of these tasks has led Ferrari to consolidate functions on the steering wheel, reflecting the shift in how drivers will control their cars in the 2026 Formula 1 season.
