F1 News: Red Bull Designer Newey Calls For Change To Aerodynamics On Cars

Red Bull's Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey, widely recognized as the mastermind behind the RB19 – the team's rocket ship that drove them to victory in 2023 – has disclosed that enhancing aerodynamics is crucial not only in Formula 1 racing but also for road cars. This is because advancements made in elite motorsports often find their way into everyday vehicles.

The sport is poised for a significant overhaul in 2026, with plans to supplement the traditional internal combustion engines of Formula 1 cars with electric power, moving away from the more simplified V6 power units. Apart from this change, there are reports suggesting that the regulations will evolve to focus more on aerodynamic performance enhancement.

Since 2011, the Drag Reduction System (DRS) has been employed on straight sections of racetracks, providing F1 cars with an acceleration boost. However, Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA’s Head of Single-Seaters, has revealed that the concept of a cornering DRS is also under consideration for future Formula 1 races.

In addition, he explained that “there will definitely be a change of incidence of the wing on the straight to achieve the low drag," a point that Newey feels is not a bad thing but, a "good goal." 

When asked by Motorsport.com about the increase in the use of aero in F1, Newey said:

“It doesn’t concern me.

“The more active aero is really to try to make up for a power unit that’s lacking in energy.

“The active aero becomes essential to make up for the power unit that’s lacking in energy. But I don’t think that’s a bad thing at all.

“Trying to drive for greater aerodynamic efficiency of the vehicle is clearly a good goal.

“And why should active aero not be part of that? After all, it’s become a part of it in road cars."

More Aero In Formula 1 Means Faster Road Cars In The Future

Newey then revealed how road cars benefitted from technological innovations in Formula 1. He added:

“There’s a huge amount of cars you see with spoilers lopping up and down on the boot lid and so forth.

“So, why not have that in racing? Active aero only got a bad name when wings were falling off back in the '60s. We’re well beyond that now.

“F1 typically has been a good way to popularise things on road cars.

“If you look way back, things like disc brakes [that has been the case],

“But then [also] slightly more recently carbonfibre sportscars – fake or real carbonfibre trim etc.

“All those things that a buyer in the high street wants an association and manufacturers of course provide that association.

“So, active aero has to be the future of road cars, so I think it’s appropriate that Formula 1 should be showing, displaying the power of it.”