Alpine made a significant change to the 2026 Formula 1 car design during the Miami GP weekend. After just three rounds, the French team abandoned the bold rear wing solution introduced at the start of the season and returned to a concept closer to the old DRS.
Read more F1: Liberty evaluates new date for the Bahrain GP
This change is part of a broad update package brought to the US round. In addition to the new movable wing configuration, the team also implemented an exhaust system inspired by the FTM (Flick Tail Mode), a concept created by Ferrari to improve aerodynamic efficiency.
At the start of the season, Alpine attracted attention in the paddock by presenting a rear wing that operated differently from other teams. Instead of lifting the movable flap, the system pushed the piece down, allowing it to almost lie flat in a horizontal position when opened. The solution took advantage of the freedom offered by the 2026 technical regulations, which relaxed the rules on movable wing mechanisms.
Despite the innovation, the team decided to change direction quickly. In Miami, the flap opened upwards again, in a concept similar to that used by other teams and also the old DRS used until 2025. The difference is that the new regulations still allow a wider opening, with fewer restrictions on the wing tips.
The French team managed to bring only one unit of the new wing to the North American round. The component was installed on Pierre Gasly’s car after arriving in Florida only on Wednesday during race week. Initially, the introduction of this update was planned only for the Canadian GP, but the cancellation of the races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia allowed the Enstone factory to accelerate the production schedule.
Read more F1: Team leaders rebut criticisms of 2026 cars
Franco Colapinto, meanwhile, used the previous version of the rear wing in Miami. Still, the Argentine received other important updates on the car, including a new lighter chassis, used for the first time after the filming day held in Silverstone. The Argentine driver finished the race in seventh place, his best result in Formula 1.
The changes to the wing required revisions in different areas of the aerodynamic package, including the endplates and the actuator. According to Steve Nielsen, Alpine’s managing director, the package delivered the expected results, although the analysis is still limited: “I believe it is giving the results we expected, but it is very difficult to assess everything in a single free practice session when you are working on so many other aspects,” he said.
The executive also highlighted that the team intends to continue evolving throughout the season: “The updates we brought effectively ensured progress. Obviously, our competitors, especially those ahead, have done even more. We are satisfied with what we brought, as well as others that will arrive in Montreal, and it will be a constant process throughout the year,” he added.
Read more F1: Ferrari becomes target of criticism after package in Miami
