Technical innovations presented by teams in Canada

      Nine out of eleven teams in the championship have prepared various technical updates for the Canadian stage – only Ferrari and Aston Martin did not do this, occupying very different positions in the Constructors' Cup. However, some of their competitors have quite long lists of improvements, including McLaren and Mercedes.

      McLaren

      The championship team's cars have a number of new and quite noticeable aerodynamic elements this weekend, starting with the front wing in a list of seven items. The new wing design, according to McLaren engineers, allows for a more effective influence on the quality of airflow and achieves an increase in downforce. Additional vents have appeared on the engine cover for hot air evacuation, improving the quality of the airflow directed to the rear of the car. Vents have also appeared on other body components, allowing for effective cooling system operation both at the Canadian track and at upcoming stages of the season, which may take place in different weather conditions. A new additional wing has appeared on the Halo – the head protection system for the driver – aimed at optimizing the airflow around the cockpit and the central part of the engine cover. The geometry of the end plates of the rear wing has also been revised to adjust the distribution of aerodynamic load and increase downforce in this area of the car.

      Changes have also affected the rear suspension: as explained by the team, "the fairings of the rear suspension elements have been slightly modernized, aimed at more effectively influencing the airflow and creating downforce around the rear corner of the chassis and diffuser." The geometry of the floor edges has also been adjusted, affecting the additional aerodynamic elements installed on them, which will allow for better control of the airflow in general and contribute to an increase in downforce in this area of the car.

      Mercedes

      In the list of innovations presented by the championship leaders, there is one more item, which is quite understandable, as the Canadian stage is the first of the season for which Mercedes has scheduled the premiere of a whole series of improvements. Kimi Antonelli's and George Russell's cars also feature a new front wing, where the outer elements have been lowered somewhat, and the changes are generally aimed at improving the characteristics of the airflow directed to the rear of the car and increasing downforce. Accordingly, the end plates of the wing have also been modified. Additionally, the sizes of the intake and exhaust openings of the brake ducts at the front of the car have been increased – this is done for more effective cooling given the high load on the brakes at the Montreal track. The profile of the front floor elements has been changed to improve the distribution of aerodynamic pressure and increase downforce. The geometry of the additional elements at the rear of the floor has been adjusted, aimed at improving the quality of the airflow going to the diffuser, and, accordingly, increasing the aerodynamic load at the rear of the car. According to the team, the diffuser has had its "roof and sidewalls reprofiled," which also contributes to increased downforce.

      Red Bull Racing

      Compared to the first two teams, Red Bull Racing has a more modest list of innovations, as the team has limited itself to modernizing a number of elements of the front wing, primarily concerning the two upper planes. The geometry of the front brake ducts has also been revised to improve the efficiency of their cooling. A number of elements at the front of the floor have been improved, positively affecting the downforce generated by it, and additional cooling system vents that were presented in Miami have been closed on the engine cover. This has been done considering the weather forecast in Montreal.

      Williams

      On the Williams cars, the geometry of the front brake ducts has been adjusted, as the Canadian track requires more effective cooling of the brake system components. Accordingly, the profile of the fairings of the front suspension elements has been changed, allowing for improved characteristics of the airflow directed to the lower part of the car. The position of the rear part of the exhaust pipe has also been adjusted – this is the next stage of modernization of the exhaust system that began in Miami.

      Racing Bulls

      On the VCARB 03, the geometry of the main part of the floor has been updated, which has significantly increased the downforce generated in this area of the car. Accordingly, a number of aerodynamic elements at the rear of the chassis have been changed, particularly the mounting of the exhaust pipe, which also performs an aerodynamic function, positively influencing the quality of the airflow in the central area of the car.

      Haas F1

      The American team has a more extensive list of innovations, but Haas has introduced so many improvements for the first time, while others did so back in Miami. According to Ayo Komatsu, they somewhat fell out of the overall rhythm, but now they will try to catch up. The geometry of the intake openings of the sidepods on the VF-26 has been changed, in accordance with the modified configuration of the surfaces of the pods themselves, which increases the energy of the airflow directed to the rear of the car. The floor has also been redesigned, with changes affecting both its front part and edges, as well as the diffuser. The profile of the fairings of the rear suspension has been optimized, and the geometry of the additional winglets installed near the rear wheel hubs has been revised.

      Audi F1

      On the R26, the front brake ducts have been upgraded, which improves cooling efficiency as required by the Montreal track. The rear brake ducts have also been redesigned. The geometry of the diffuser has been changed – the modernization of this crucial aerodynamic element continues, allowing for increased downforce in the rear area of the car.

      Alpine F1

      On the factory team's cars of the Renault group, the geometry of the floor has been significantly changed, with the aim of increasing its aerodynamic efficiency in any weather conditions. The rear wing has been modernized; as explained by Alpine, the geometry of its elements has been adjusted as part of the wing refinement program, and its latest version has been prepared for the Canadian stage of the season.

      Cadillac F1

      The new American team is also gradually modernizing its MAC-26 car. Improved brake ducts have appeared at the front, with the geometry of their front area and exhaust openings revised to enhance cooling efficiency. An additional winglet has been added to the lower part of the diffuser, and several other elements have been changed, which, according to the team's engineers, should allow for an increase in downforce.