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McLaren has become the latest team to exploit the absence of active aerodynamics at the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix, unveiling a sophisticated rear wing solution that underlines just how seriously the top teams are taking every marginal gain on the streets of Monte Carlo.
With the FIA confirming there will be no straight mode activation zones at Monaco — the tightest circuit on the Formula 1 calendar — F1's moveable aerodynamic systems will sit dormant for the first time this season. That absence has opened a regulatory door. By removing the standard wing actuators, teams are free to repurpose the legality boxes reserved for adjuster fairings, introducing winglet packages that fall within the dimensions permitted under the technical regulations. As long as the bodywork fits within the allowable adjuster fairing area, it is deemed legal.
Red Bull and Mercedes were among the first to reveal their interpretations of this opportunity, with both squads presenting aggressive, multi-element solutions. McLaren, however, held its cards close, waiting until late on Thursday afternoon before revealing its own design — and it proved worth the wait.
McLaren's solution features three winglets positioned in the adjuster fairing area, complemented by two additional wing elements further back on the assembly. The overall complexity is comparable to Mercedes' version, which stacks multiple winglets off a central column with a further aerodynamic element positioned at the front of the fairing. Red Bull's approach is comparatively straightforward, using two mini wings attached directly to its regular adjuster fairing.
Further down the grid, the concepts become progressively simpler. Racing Bulls and Cadillac have each opted for an attachment on the upper flap designed to generate additional downforce, while Audi has taken a more ambitious step on the upper flap than most of its midfield rivals. Alpine, by contrast, has produced one of the smallest additions seen in the paddock this week.
For all the intrigue surrounding these designs in the Monaco build-up, it is important to keep the performance expectations grounded. Sources indicate the gains from these winglet packages amount to just hundredths of a second in lap time — meaningful in the hyper-competitive world of Formula 1, but far from a silver bullet.
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu made clear why his squad chose not to pursue the concept at all. "It's such a small thing — it's not a game-changer," he said, a frank assessment that perhaps reflects a pragmatic allocation of resource for a team with different priorities this weekend.
For the leading outfits, however, no stone goes unturned at Monaco. Every hundredth counts.
Source: The Race
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.