Overview
- Teams introduced new fixed aero devices on their rear wings on Thursday after the FIA declared zero Straight Mode activation zones for the Monaco weekend, removing the need for active actuators.
- Mercedes replaced its central actuator housing with a dense triple‑flap array designed to generate localised downforce where the moving mechanism would normally sit.
- Red Bull fitted two small elements above its mechanism and Audi altered front and rear mechanism fairings, while McLaren is expected to run similar changes and Ferrari has not shown a comparable exploit.
- Engineers say Monaco’s slow, tight layout makes drag negligible so the actuator’s legal rectangular box can be used to add vertical winglets that increase upwash and diffuser suction to boost cornering grip.
- There are no public protests or FIA reversals so far and the devices appear to sit inside current rule boxes, but the designs could prompt technical queries and influence car setup choices and development priorities later in the season.