Formula 1 rolls on to Monte Carlo and the unique demands of the Circuit de Monaco this weekend, with plenty of teams bringing track-specific and wider upgrades for their cars – including special winglets aimed at exploiting the lack of Active Aero. But what exactly is changing, and how might it impact performance? F1.com presents an all-in-one list…
Mercedes
Mercedes have added small winglets within their rear wing Straight Mode fairing volume, aimed at generating local downforce and drag. According to the team, the removal of Active Aero in Monaco, and the low drag sensitivity of the track, make these “attractive” additions.
Ferrari
Ferrari, meanwhile, have focused their efforts on an updated front suspension (providing a greater steering angle for Monaco’s twists and turns), as well as a new floor body and diffuser (featuring small devices to generate more aerodynamic load).
McLaren
Reigning World Champions McLaren are unleashing the biggest update package this weekend, with their changes going from the front to the rear of the MCL40.
A Monaco-specification front suspension has been created to deal with the unique corner radii encountered here, while a larger engine cover offers increased overall cooling capacity and maintains high aerodynamic efficiency.
New beam wings and rear corners are set to offer enhanced aerodynamic flow conditioning, alongside a circuit-specific rear wing which, like Mercedes, exploits the area where the Straight Mode actuator usually sits.
There is also the addition of a floor stay attached to the diffuser, bringing improved robustness and deflection to maintain aerodynamic performance throughout the speed range, as McLaren leave no stone unturned ahead of their 1000th Grand Prix.
Red Bull
At Red Bull, their car will run a larger exit duct for the front brake material, as well as caliper cooling, while the suspension fairings and inner face of the front wheel bodywork are trimmed to allow for a greater steering angle.
As per the brakes, the RB22’s engine cover and sidepod exits have been opened up to help with power unit and gearbox cooling, and last but not least, Red Bull join Mercedes and McLaren in adding rear wing extensions to make the most of Active Aero being removed.
Alpine
Alpine have noted just one update on the FIA’s submission sheet, with flap winglets being introduced to further enhance aerodynamic performance, as part of their ongoing in-season rear wing development programme.
Racing Bulls
Racing Bulls have two developments of note: a modified front suspension to allow for additional
steering travel, while minimising any detrimental effect on the aerodynamics, and a new flap and central winglet on the rear wing to generate additional downforce (again, exploiting the removal of Straight Mode).
Haas
Haas have updated their front track rod position to cope with the specific steering angle demands around Monaco, while making a minor revision to the rear wing Straight Mode fairing and adding an additional aerodynamic device downstream of the exhaust tailpipe – both with the goal of encouraging upwash and increasing downforce.
Williams
Next on the list are Williams, who have introduced a revised front suspension geometry to cope with the circuit’s demands, along with an updated exhaust tailpipe installation, which offers what the team have described as “an additional loading opportunity” at the rear of the car.
Audi
Audi have a handful of changes to report, including the removal of the Straight Mode actuators on the front and rear wings to reduce any unnecessary blockages.
Proper updates listed by the team are a tweaked mirror design, aimed at offering a minor aerodynamic efficiency improvement, and a redesigned roll hoop and engine cover to increase cooling options.
Cadillac
New-for-2026 team Cadillac have updated their rear wing and endplate surfaces, while also making changes to the exhaust tailpipe and bracket geometry, to generate more aerodynamic load at the rear of the car.
Aston Martin
The 11th and final team on this list, Aston Martin – like most of their rivals – have made a front suspension adjustment to achieve a greater steering range.
An updated exhaust tailpipe bracket is also in play to generate more load on surfaces at the rear of the car, while additional bodywork louvres may be added to increase bodywork exit areas and provide more cooling.