Wheel design becomes a key performance factor

A key performance factor for 2026, wheel design has become the subject of a new technical battle. The FIA has recently ruled to prevent a costly escalation starting in 2027.

Freedom in wheel design opens new development

The regained freedom in wheel design has opened a new area of development in Formula 1 this season. Since the abandonment of standardized models, each team can once again design its own wheels, with an objective that goes well beyond their simple mechanical function: controlling tire temperature.

Ferrari's wheel innovation aids Hamilton

Ferrari has notably exploited this possibility at the Barcelona Grand Prix, introducing wheels that favor the cooling of the rear tires. An evolution that contributed to the victory of Lewis Hamilton.

McLaren's approach focuses on balance

McLaren has also worked in this area, but with a different approach: facilitating the warming of the front tires while improving the cooling of the rear tires.

Wheels influence tire performance

Because wheels play an essential role in the thermal exchanges between brakes, wheels, and tires. Their geometry, mass, and ability to dissipate heat directly influence the operating window of the tires.

FIA concerned about specialized wheels

The progress made in 2026 has, however, raised concerns at the FIA: seeing teams develop wheels specific to qualifying sessions, and others for the race.

Different needs for different sessions

The logic would have been unavoidable. On a flying lap, it is necessary to bring the tires rapidly to their optimal temperature, even if this means favoring their heating. In a race, on the contrary, the objective generally consists of limiting their overheating to preserve their performance over several dozen laps.

New rules prevent specialized wheels

To avoid this escalation, the World Motor Sport Council has recently approved a modification to the 2027 regulations. From now on, only one wheel specification can be used starting from the phase preceding the garage, whether during classic weekends or Sprint events.

Teams must use same wheels for all sessions

Concretely, teams will have to keep the same front and rear wheel models between qualifying and the race. The regulation specifies that a wheel will be considered used as soon as the car has left the pit lane with it mounted.

FIA allows development but limits specialization

The FIA therefore does not prohibit the development of wheels, which has become a true aerodynamic and thermal research field. It simply prevents teams from creating two specialized solutions for two different sessions.

New rule stifles potential technical battle

A technical battle that promised to intensify in 2027 has thus been stifled in the egg.