F1 teams add winglet rear wings for Monaco as DRS disabled

Several Formula 1 teams have introduced distinctive rear wing modifications for this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, exploiting a temporary rule change that has suspended the sport’s active aerodynamics system for the event. Mercedes and Red Bull are among the outfits that have replaced the standard rear wing actuators with clusters of small winglets, aiming to maximize downforce on the tight, low-speed Monte Carlo street circuit.

The changes are possible because the FIA’s technical regulations designate a small rectangular box atop the rear wing to house the actuator for the active aero functionality, which has replaced the previous Drag Reduction System (DRS). For Monaco, officials have designated no straight mode activation zones, rendering the actuator redundant for the race. This has allowed teams to use the allocated space for fixed aerodynamic devices instead.

In most racing environments, engineers must carefully balance any downforce gains against the drag penalty they create, as excessive drag harms straight-line speed. However, Monaco’s exceptionally short straights and low cornering speeds minimize that penalty, allowing teams to pursue what aerodynamicists sometimes...