Technical innovations presented by the teams in Austria

      Nine out of eleven teams presented various technical updates at the Austrian Grand Prix. Some teams have rather modest update lists; however, as expected, Red Bull Racing prepared a significantly upgraded car for their home stage of the season, but they were not the only team to stand out – Audi also has quite a few innovations, and Cadillac's list includes ten items in total.

      McLaren

      The MCL40 features a new version of the rear brake ducts, which should help improve airflow quality and, consequently, positively affect the downforce level at the rear of the car.

      The team also reported an upgrade to the rear wing: the position of the movable flap, which rotates when activating the Straight Line Mode (SLM), has been changed. As a result, the reduction of drag when this mode is activated is more efficient.

      In fact, the team from Woking has finally decided to test the "Macarena wing" or the "Ferrari-style wing," as this design is called in the paddock, not only during practice but throughout the entire race weekend.

      Mercedes

      On the championship leaders' car, the "angle of attack of the front suspension fairing" has been slightly altered, which helps improve the airflow parameters directed towards the rear of the car.

      Changes also affected the engine cover and the area at the rear of the car, known in Formula 1 as the Coke Bottle: the opening for venting hot air from the cooling system has become narrower. This is done for optimal flow redistribution, as more hot air is vented through the louvres on the engine cover.

      Red Bull Racing

      The list of changes presented by the team includes seven items. On the cars of Max Verstappen and Isaac Hadjar, not only has the geometry of the side pod air intakes been revised, but their position has also been adjusted to enhance the cooling system's efficiency, plus this configuration should effectively interact with the significantly upgraded floor of the RB22.

      However, the main reason for these modifications is stated to be aimed at improving reliability, as is the case with the upgraded engine cover, which has been slightly adjusted in accordance with the aforementioned changes.

      At the rear of the car, the profile of the suspension fairings and their mounts has been changed, which helps improve the quality and stability of the airflow – resulting in increased aerodynamic load.

      The geometry of the pylons to which the rear wing is attached has been revised, also aimed at enhancing aerodynamic efficiency. Finally, the "profile of the exhaust outlet" has been slightly modified, and its mounts have been redesigned.

      Ferrari

      The front wing of the SF-26 features upgraded end plates, which now include updated additional aerodynamic elements. As the team explains, this is the next stage in the development of the front wing, continuing the changes that were presented at the Spanish stage of the season.

      Ferrari also reported some modifications to the front part of the floor and shorter rearview mirror mounts, but emphasized that these elements will only be tested during practice.

      Racing Bulls

      Unlike Red Bull Racing, the Faenza team's cars have few changes. They report a lower position for the exhaust outlet and a revised geometry of the rear edges of the diffuser.

      Haas F1

      On the VF-26, the design of the front brake ducts has been changed to improve the flow parameters directed towards the rear of the car and "reduce local losses." Accordingly, the configuration of the suspension fairings has been revised – "to enhance aerodynamic efficiency."

      Audi F1

      On the cars of Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, the design of the front wing end plates has been changed, and the geometry of the lower deflector mount has been revised – these modifications aim to improve flow parameters in this part of the chassis.

      The rear part of the floor has been upgraded, and improved lower deflectors have been added to the rear of the car, the geometry of the suspension has been adjusted, and the design of the additional rear wing has been modified. Additionally, the main rear wing has also been upgraded in accordance with these changes.

      Alpine F1

      The factory Renault team cars feature a new front wing with updated end plates, which required adjustments to the design of the nose fairing, and all these measures collectively contribute to enhancing aerodynamic efficiency in this part of the car.

      In the rear part, additional aerodynamic elements have been added to the diffuser.

      Cadillac F1

      On the side pods of the MAC-26, the air ducts have been enlarged, and their geometry has been revised to enhance the cooling process's efficiency. Accordingly, the shape of the engine cover and the profile of its rear part, i.e., the Coke Bottle, have changed.

      The position and configuration of the cooling system louvres have been altered at the top of the side pods and on the engine cover.

      The rearview mirror mounts have been upgraded, as this also affects the quality of the airflow directed towards the rear of the car.

      In its upper part, the "mounting fairings for the roll hoop have been reprofiled."

      The floor has been upgraded – its front part and edges, and the geometry of the diffuser surface has been revised. Additionally, the profile of the surfaces of the additional rear wing has been changed.