McLaren believe they have already identified a key concept that could prove decisive for the next generation of Formula 1 cars arriving in 2026. According to the Woking-based team, the new regulations will offer engineers more freedom to work on car setup, including a partial return of the so-called rake concept, where the front of the car runs lower than the rear.
The rake philosophy was a defining feature of Formula 1 cars between 2017 and 2021. During that period, several teams exploited this configuration to generate additional aerodynamic load and improve overall performance. However, the introduction of ground-effect cars in 2022, with flat floors and Venturi tunnels, significantly restricted the ability to use extreme rake angles.
With the 2026 rules, Formula 1 is set to move towards a more intermediate solution. It will not be a full return to the pre-2022 era, but neither will it be a straightforward continuation of the current ground-effect philosophy.
McLaren identify a key feature of the 2026 F1 cars
McLaren’s perspective was outlined by Mark Temple, performance technical director of the Woking team, speaking to specialist media. “From the point of view of the aerodynamic characteristics for 2026, we are in an intermediate zone. It is neither the pre-2022 concept, nor the pure ground-effect cars, and not even a perfect halfway point,” he explained.
According to Mark Temple, the new cars will be less sensitive to changes in ride height compared to recent seasons. “There will be less extreme sensitivity than in other years, and this will give more freedom to manipulate the car’s setup to influence its behaviour, without necessarily losing performance,” he said.
The McLaren executive also stressed that the fundamental principles of Formula 1 will remain unchanged. “It is still Formula 1. The power unit, the aerodynamics and how you use the tyres are what matter. These remain the main performance factors,” Mark Temple added.
At the same time, he warned that certain elements of the new regulations will make the aerodynamic challenge more complex. “There are aspects that make the aerodynamics harder to predict on track. We are at the start of a new regulatory cycle, and that makes everything less straightforward,” he noted.
The return of rake, even in a less extreme form, opens up some intriguing technical scenarios. In McLaren’s view, the greater freedom allowed by the 2026 regulations could reward teams that manage to find the right balance between setup, aerodynamics and tyre management. In a completely new regulatory landscape, this detail could make a significant difference from the very first races of the 2026 season.
McLaren’s insight into the return of rake suggests that the 2026 technical regulations will favor teams that can move away from the rigid, ultra-stiff ride heights required by the previous ground-effect generation. By identifying an “intermediate zone” in aerodynamic sensitivity, Mark Temple and the Woking engineers are signaling a shift toward more versatile car platforms that allow for aggressive setup manipulation without the penalty of unpredictable stalling. As the grid moves away from the pure Venturi-tunnel reliance of the last few years, the ability to re-introduce rake could be the “secret weapon” that allows teams like McLaren to find a decisive performance edge in the high-speed corners of the 2026 season.
The 2026 regulations therefore look set to reintroduce setup freedom and rake as critical performance levers, potentially ending the era of extreme ride-height sensitivity that dominated the F1 landscape since 2022.
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