Source:REUTERS/Amr Alfiky
[Saba Sports News] On the first day of the post-season test in Abu Dhabi, Mercedes became the first team to actually utilize an active front wing on the track. Their W16 car is equipped with a very rudimentary movable wing design, paving the way for the brand-new aerodynamic regulations set for 2026. According to F1 plans, the 2026 season cars will completely move away from ground effect, returning to a lighter and smaller design that relies on active aerodynamic systems to adjust downforce.To assist Pirelli in gathering data on the new tires and help teams familiarize themselves with future structures, this test allows each team to use a modified 2026 simulation car equipped with an active aerodynamic system. From the leaked photos, Andrea Kimi Antonelli was seen driving the modified car, which features an active front wing. It is fitted with two movable wing elements that are linked to the active mechanisms of the rear wing via a system of internal ducts through the car’s nose.Whether in high-speed, low-speed, or overtake modes, both the front and rear wings will adjust synchronously, ensuring balance under varying drag and downforce settings. Since this system is still in the early stages of development, the exposed piping design appears quite primitive. While this design may increase aerodynamic drag, the emphasis is on validating functionality rather than performance.