In this exclusive technical breakdown, Autosport’s Jake Boxall-Legge visits the Williams Formula 1 base to uncover the radical aerodynamic shifts defining the 2026 season with Williams chief aerodynamicist Juan Molina.
As F1 moves away from the ground-effect Venturi tunnels of the previous era, the championship introduces a shorter, narrower car profile and a return to flat floors.
We also explore how teams are grappling with a significant step down in downforce and the complex task of ‘inwashing’ tyre wake to promote closer racing. Molina also examines the consequences of the strategic jump from traditional DRS to the new ‘straight mode’ active aerodynamics.
With the front and rear wings now working in tandem to toggle between high-downforce cornering and low-drag straight-line speeds, the development race has entered a new dimension.
From the potential return of ‘high-rake’ set-ups to the mystery of Ferrari’s inverting wing, this interview provides a look at the trade-offs and breadth of ideas currently appearing on the 2026 grid.
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– The Autosport.com Team
