Formula 1 and world motorsport governing body, the FIA, has permitted the running of ‘mule cars’ in testing to prepare for the 2026 technical regulations.
The FIA World Motorsport Council approved the decision, which will allow for 10 days running of ‘mule’ cars in 2024 in order for the 10 Formula 1 teams to simulate how 2026 cars might operate.
In order to create the ‘mule cars’ teams will be able to use chassis from the four proceeding seasons to this campaign, 2020 through 2023, and make the necessary modifications to mimic what the 2026 cars will be like.
“Testing of Mule Cars (TMC) shall be defined as any track running time, not part of a competition, in which a competitor entered in the championship participates (or in which a third party participates on behalf of a competitor or a supplier of a homologated power unit), using cars which were designed and constructed in order to comply with the technical regulations or with the technical regulations of any of the four calendar years falling immediately prior to the calendar year of the championship, but suitably modified for the purpose of providing the appointed tyre supplier with a means of track testing of its future products or for providing the FIA with a means of testing components or systems for future championship seasons,” reads the new rule implemented to allow the testing of ‘mule cars.’
“No competitor may sell or make available any such car to any third party without the prior authorisation of the FIA.”
“Cars must include and are limited to the minimal modifications necessary for the purpose of testing development tyres or for testing components or systems on behalf of the FIA for future championship seasons, as determined by the FIA.”
‘Mule cars’ are not uncommon in modern Formula 1 and have been used when particularly large swings in the regulations are set to occur.
In 2008, F1 teams ran ‘mule cars’ to gain a better understanding of the redefined 2009 aero regulations.
McLaren took to the Portimao circuit in Portugal with an interim 2009 aero package and KERS system to gain an understanding ahead of the ’09 season-opener.
Once again, ahead of the 2017 season, whereby F1 cars got wider amid a greater emphasis on chasing aerodynamic performance, teams fitted larger wings to their existing designs.
However, there are several components to the 2026 regulations that will be difficult for teams to mimic with this year’s ‘mule cars.’
Not only will the 2026 F1 machines be narrower with a shorter wheelbase as well, but the forthcoming cars will feature adaptive aerodynamics on both the front and rear wings.
Still, like with previous regulations, it will no doubt be the wing shape and geometry that teams aim to replicate with ‘mule cars’ to gain somewhat of an understanding of the aerodynamic performance of the 2026 designs.
