F1 2026

Tyre allocations for the Bahrain test


"Pirelli has revealed the tyre allocations chosen by teams for the first Bahrain test. Some subtle differences in approach. #F1"

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Audi's unique approach to its movable F1 rear wing flaps: https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/...rear-movable-flaps-open-at-an-angle/10796474/

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"... While all the other teams have maintained the traditional opening, with the trailing edge remaining fixed and the leading edge being lifted – often rising higher than the lateral endplate on the outer side to maximise the opening and reduce drag on the straights – in the case of Audi and Alpine, the anchoring point of the pivot around which the rotation occurs has been moved.

In Alpine’s case, as reported last week, the wing works in reverse: it is the trailing edge that collapses while the leading edge remains fixed, creating a sort of “extension” of the mainplane. Audi’s approach is even more curious, because the engineers in Hinwil have chosen an intermediate solution between the two philosophies, positioning the pivot around which the two rear flaps rotate (highlighted in yellow in the image) exactly at the centre of its lateral supports (in red), which remain fixed as required by the regulations.

As a result, the flaps on the R26 no longer remain in an almost horizontal position, or at most inclined by just a few degrees; instead, in the open configuration they take on an oblique inclination, with a smaller “gap” compared to rivals when the different solutions are compared.


This is a decidedly curious solution, because having the flaps open in an oblique manner also means changing the direction in which the airflow moves in that area of the car. The visual and aerodynamic effect is that the air appears to be almost “pushed” downward, precisely because of the steep inclination taken on by the flaps during the opening phase.


While many teams use two actuator attachment points – one for each movable flap – in order to lift both elements simultaneously, Audi’s system is different: there is a single linkage connected to the first flap, while the second is “passive” and is dragged along in the movement via the small supports that connect the two profiles, rather than by the actuator itself as happens on the other cars...."


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Some impressive mileage in the morning session. Audi, Cadillac, Aston Martin and Alpine a bit on the low side, but sure that'll improve in the afternoon. Colapinto's Alpine apparently sufferered a technical problem and had to be brought back to the garage on the back of a flatbed, so that may account for his low lap count.
 
Good to see Williams running up the most mileage.

RBPT-Ford also getting in some good mileage between Red Bull and VCARB.

Very positive signs for RBPT-Ford. Will be interesting to see how they go at the next test when they turn the wick up and fire in some hot laps.
 
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