Why this crucial part of new F1 rules will be missing in Monaco

One of the most visually obvious parts of F1’s new-for-2026 regulations overhaul will be missing when the series returns to the streets of Monaco this weekend.

And in its place – literally – will be some tiny wings that are a throwback to a time when the race brought out the weird and wonderful.

Part of the aerodynamic overhaul for 2026 was the introduction of active aero, in which the front wings would flatten and rear wings open to reduce drag and increase top speeds in declared ‘straight zones’.

But due to the tight and twisty nature of the Monaco circuit, none of the straights on the track meet the criteria to be declared a ‘straight zone’.

The main sticking point was the requirement drivers be able to engage the active aero for a minimum of three seconds. When the system can be activated is also dictated by guidelines basically around how much downforce the cars must be producing, before they can be afforded the massive reduction that comes with engaging the system, without losing control.

The previous Drag Reduction System (DRS) – in which only the rear wing opened – was used along the pit straight. Due to the heavy braking zone into the first corner, and the equally heavy acceleration zone out of the final corner, even that is too short.

Monaco is expected to be the only circuit on the calendar which will not have a straight mode. Albert Park, which hosted the Australian Grand Prix in March, had four.

But it’s not all bad news. Teams knew months ago the system would not be used in Monaco, and it’s given them time to exploit a loophole.

Built into the regulations is an imaginary box in which teams are required to place the device that actually opens and closes the rear wing. Given it will be redundant in Monaco, most teams have removed the device entirely and added a series of tiny winglets to extract as much extra downforce as they can.

It might be miniscule, but given the ridiculously tight margins at Monaco, can can be the difference between a front-row start and the second or third row.

On Thursday, McLaren – making its 1000th world championship start this weekend – Mercedes and Red Bull had the devices already on the cars. Ferrari did not, but might still install one ahead of practice.

Teams run the highest levels of downforce anywhere on the calendar in Monaco. Once upon a time, cars would arrive in Monaco with some downright bizarre wings and spoilers to gain extra downforce.

In the late 1990s, tall wings – dubbed X-wings – were common on the car’s side pods. Other teams experimented with extra wings mounted on the nose of the car, or even double and triple rear wings.

A clampdown on where aerodynamic parts can be mounted on the car means these monstrosities have long been banned.

One more thing on the new regulations, Monaco presents one of the best opportunities on the calendar to show off power of the electric engines. That’s no guarantee it’ll make for better racing, though.

Because of the numerous heavy braking and acceleration zones, coupled with the short straights, less energy management will be required by the drivers.

The braking zones provide plenty of chances for batteries to charge for the straights, which are barely long enough to deplete the battery before the next big stop.

The slow corners and acceleration zones will also give the instant torque of the electric motors the best chance to shine.

Practice for the Monaco Grand Prix begins on Friday night, before qualifying on Saturday. The race begins 11pm (AEST) Sunday.

Questionable timing of Vegas extension announcement

Meanwhile, on the eve of one of the most divisive street races on the calendar, F1 announced one of the best has signed a monster contract extension.

Having debuted in 2023, F1 on Friday morning (AEST) announced the series had signed a 10-year extension for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which means the race will remain on the strip until at least 2037.

While Monaco has a reputation as one of the dullest races on the calendar, the on-track product in each of the three Vegas editions have been surprisingly good.

Where overtaking in Monaco is virtually impossible, the wide streets of Vegas, coupled with long straights leading into heavy braking zones means there is plenty of opportunity to do so.

Vegas was the third US race added to the calendar, and arguably the best example of the sport’s aggressive expansion push.

Several criticisms of the race are fair. Its over-the-top nature is polarising, but very Vegas and the genuinely insane prices of tickets means attending is far too expensive for most fans.

In fact, according to RacingNews365, the average cost of a ticket to attend the Vegas race – just to attend, let alone the insane accommodation costs – is double that of the next race, which perhaps unsurprisingly is Miami.

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Both Vegas and Miami have reputations as events at which the rich and famous attend just to be seen. It’s a notion alluded to in comments attributed to F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali in the announcement.

“Since its debut in 2023, the event has been extraordinary, rapidly establishing itself as a premier destination for great racing, world-class entertainment, global business leaders, A-list celebrities and influencers,” he said.

“It has delivered a strong and lasting impact on the local economy and community. We always believed that Las Vegas would become a cornerstone of our presence in the United States, and this extension, together with the success of recent years, reinforces our long-term commitment to this important market.”

Regardless, announcing that extension right before Monaco is a peculiar decision by F1 and its PR department.