An F1 team is reportedly developing a 'groundbreaking' concept for the 2026 season that could turn them into title challengers.
Next season will see the biggest raft of regulation changes since the 2009 season, which featured significant aerodynamic alterations and completely transformed the way that each car looked.
2026 will follow a similar theme, with the FIA introducing changes to aerodynamics and the power units, alongside 100 per cent sustainable fuels and a new active aerodynamics system to replace DRS.
Back in 2009, it was Brawn GP who made best use of the regulation changes, with the team designing a double diffuser which significantly boosted rear downforce.
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The concept had been initially developed by Honda, who withdrew from Formula 1 at the end of the 2008 season due to the worldwide financial crisis.
The Japanese car manufacturer handed over the F1 team's assets to existing team principal Ross Brawn, who took over full running of the team alongside CEO Nick Fry, and driver Jenson Button subsequently won six out of the first seven races.
Brawn GP's pace fell away through the European leg of the season, partially because they struggled to generate enough front tyre temperature at cooler circuits.
They also operated on a much smaller budget compared to their rivals - thus falling behind in the development battle - and had made around 270 employees redundant at the start of the season, making Button's eventual Drivers' Championship win one of the most iconic achievements in the sport's history.
According to Italian outlet AutoRacer, a similar development success story could be on the cards in 2026.
It is reported that an unnamed constructor is 'developing an electronic solution for front wing aero control', rather than using a hydraulics system.
It is added that the solution could reduce weight and 'unlock a performance gain', though there are key challenges involved in the process.
The report adds that neither Ferrari nor Mercedes are involved in the process - which, although again unclear, could be significant as Ferrari provide engines to Cadillac and Haas, while Mercedes supply to McLaren, Williams and Alpine.
The only teams without the involvement of either Ferrari or Mercedes, therefore, are Red Bull, Racing Bulls, Audi and Aston Martin.
Audi will enter F1 next year, having taken over the Sauber team, while Aston Martin team principal Adrian Newey - who is also chief technical officer - holds responsibility for designing his first Aston Martin car for next season.
Newey is heralded as F1's greatest designer, with his cars at Williams, McLaren and Red Bull winning a combined 26 championships, so it would not be a major surprise to see the 66-year-old make best use of the new regulations.
Audi, meanwhile, have invested significant sums in their new F1 operation, and have former Ferrari chief Mattia Binotto as their chief technical officer.
While Binotto's spell as team principal of Ferrari did not go as planned, the Italian is a motorsport engineer by trade and has been highly praised for his work in that area across multiple teams.
Ryan Smart