System 1 is trying to find its identification: the brand new laws are nonetheless unclear, regardless that engine producers have been engaged on the 2026 energy items for at the very least 4 years, investing closely. But it surely’s not simply the producers (Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda, Audi, Pink Bull Powertrains) engaged within the analysis—suppliers are additionally working silently, with out visibility, on modern options, driving supplies analysis that would remodel merchandise and contribute to efficiency beneficial properties.
Whereas discussions proceed over how energy needs to be divided (rumors counsel 50% electrical and 50% inner combustion in qualifying, however 150 kW could be faraway from the electrical aspect throughout races to keep away from charging points at circuits with decrease vitality restoration like Monza, Jeddah, Las Vegas, and Baku), some are already deeply concerned in defining options that might want to work whatever the last guidelines accredited…
Because of its experience, UFI Filters has earned the belief of all ten groups presently on the F1 grid: the Verona-based firm provides every staff with round a dozen filters (starting from 11 to 17), every of which is “tailor made” by way of co-design with the groups, making each component distinctive.
The 2026 laws increase the technological problem with more and more excessive fields of analysis. UFI Filters will intervene on a number of components of F1 automobiles: engine oil, engine air filter, and hydraulic circuits that management DRS, energy steering, and brakes, the place filtration is crucial to make sure driver security. There are additionally filters for dielectric fluids utilized in thermal administration of the battery and hybrid system temperatures.
Briefly, the scope of motion may be very extensive, and it’s fascinating to find what is going to change for UFI Filters with the brand new energy items and the introduction of e-fuels…
“Within the inner combustion engine, we assist optimize efficiency,” explains Davide Moletta, Excessive Tech Division Supervisor at UFI Filters. “At this stage, speaking about 100% artificial gas is extra of a advertising operation. From 2026 to 2030, fuels will include solely 20% ethanol and can nonetheless be petroleum-derived. The true shift to artificial will are available in 2030, when ARAMCO will launch the bottom recipe to different producers. It received’t be a single-spec gas, however quite a base chemical formulation launched by ARAMCO, the Saudi firm working with the FIA. Then, producers will have the ability to customise their fuels based on their wants: detonation, combustion kind, and timing.”
Are paddock rumors true that the most effective gas might provide a 30-horsepower benefit?
“Within the high-pressure gas circuit, not one of the producers have reached the five hundred bar restrict allowed by the principles. Some have pushed to 300–320 bar, however that’s already a threshold the place issues begin. Inside a fluid, which consists of varied chemical parts, it’s a must to management the stress and temperatures. Past a sure level, chemical reactions can ignite, resulting in fluid acidification or NOx emissions within the exhaust.”
“The engine is sort of a violin that wants tuning,” provides UFI Filters president Giorgio Girondi. “Some handle it properly, others much less so. We use metal for the filtering half and titanium for the metallic elements. Their traits make sure that even with full filter blockage on the circuit’s most upstream pump stress, there isn’t a leakage. Our filter received’t collapse or explode, so the automobile stops, however the engine isn’t compromised. You simply want to exchange the filter, and the automobile can restart…”
Are you testing modern options by no means utilized in F1 for subsequent yr?
“With filtering media,” continues Davide Moletta, “we consistently obtain up to date formulation from groups: we’re speaking about fiberglass as a substitute of polypropylene. As soon as a polymer is chosen, we instantly perform buyer testing with 20% ethanol gas. We do the identical with adhesives. Updates are almost each day, making dimensional research extra agile. Air filters, for instance, are available in very completely different shapes due to every staff’s aerodynamic design. Each engine maker defines a particular area: filtration is perhaps comparable, however sizes are very completely different.”
What’s probably the most important component?
“The filter that protects the motive force. We will afford an engine problem that stops the automobile, however not a failure in driver security: the DRS and brake circuits should all the time be excellent. For the hydraulic circuits, we collaborate with Brembo: security is paramount, in order that a part of the circuits is certainly probably the most difficult.”
Will there be adjustments on this space in 2026?
“The assorted hydraulic manifolds have particular technical filtration necessities. In braking, there’s now a twin rear circuit—the place as soon as the pedal instantly managed the caliper, at this time there’s brake-by-wire, which provides vitality restoration braking: two hydraulic circuits, yet another conventional and a second multi-pass. The 2 programs require completely different filters. The primary lasts longer, whereas the second is rather more high-performance.”
The 2026 improvements received’t cease on the energy items—there may even be lively aerodynamics on the entrance, along with the rear DRS flap. This received’t essentially improve the variety of filters on the automobiles. It is going to rely upon the hydraulic circuit configuration developed by groups and the necessities of the hydraulic manifolds, the management items that regulate fluid move. To keep away from points with the valves that open and shut the circuits (and thus, the moveable wings), the oil inside should be extraordinarily clear. For reference, the baseline filtration requirement is 3 microns—this is applicable to the braking system too.
The staff of technicians led by Davide Moletta and devoted to F1 consists of about fifteen specialists working from the Nogarole Rocca headquarters. However the Verona multinational additionally depends on three R&D facilities in Ala di Trento, Shanghai, and New Delhi…
“We contain engineers in India for fluid dynamics and mechanical analyses, boosting our work energy with 40–50 native technicians. On the subject of designing with metallic or plastic filter supplies, the Nogarole Rocca employees collaborates with the Ala di Trento staff.”
UFI Filters believes within the two-way alternate of technical data between the automotive and motorsport worlds…
“We’re pushed by ardour and love tackling the hardest analysis,” says Girondi. “We’re finding out filtration for hydrogen, which might be essential for future e-fuels.”
Are you exploring new supplies?
“There are numerous fascinating options for filtering media,” concludes Moletta. “With 3D-printed supplies loaded with carbon and Kevlar, we’re years forward of present necessities. It’s essential to by no means cease. And F1 pushes us to all the time go additional.”
One instance is the try to cut back the burden of 2026 automobiles by about thirty kilos: weight discount, past dimensional research, will contain refining each single part. Staff chief designers are evaluating shifting hydraulic circuits and filters to extra advantageous positions for automobile steadiness.
“Generally, the shopper drives the event of the hydraulic circuit to optimize the dimensions of the filter housings. As soon as the perfect spot is discovered to benefit from out there area and optimize weight distribution,” concludes Davide Moletta, “UFI receives weight targets. To fulfill them, we work on filtering media and more and more thinner aluminum partitions.”
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