P1racenews AI automatic summary:
FIA head of aerodynamics Jason Somerville has explained how the new F1 power unit rules necessitated the need for active aero.
FIA head of aerodynamics Jason Somerville has detailed how active aero will work in 2026, introducing X-mode and Z-mode to revolutionize the series. The new F1 regulations have been confirmed, shifting focus to exploiting the aerodynamic rules at the start of 2025. Teams cannot work on the next-gen F1 cars’ aerodynamics until then. Active aero will be regulated, altering front and rear wings between two configurations depending on cornering or straight driving. X-mode and Z-mode will define the two states of aerodynamics from 2026, with drivers switching between them as permitted around the track. A front wing active aero system will be reintroduced to balance the effects of the rear wing’s active aero on the 2026 F1 cars.
