System 1 is looking for its identification: the brand new laws are nonetheless unclear, though engine producers have been engaged on the 2026 energy items for no less than 4 years, investing closely. However it’s not simply the producers (Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda, Audi, Purple Bull Powertrains) engaged within the analysis—suppliers are additionally working silently, with out visibility, on revolutionary options, driving supplies analysis that might rework merchandise and contribute to efficiency positive factors.
Whereas discussions proceed over how energy needs to be divided (rumors recommend 50% electrical and 50% inner combustion in qualifying, however 150 kW could be faraway from the electrical facet throughout races to keep away from charging points at circuits with decrease power restoration like Monza, Jeddah, Las Vegas, and Baku), some are already deeply concerned in defining options that might want to work whatever the remaining guidelines authorised…
Due to its experience, UFI Filters has earned the belief of all ten groups presently on the F1 grid: the Verona-based firm provides every crew with round a dozen filters (starting from 11 to 17), every of which is “tailor made” by 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 elements of F1 automobiles: engine oil, engine air filter, and hydraulic circuits that management DRS, energy steering, and brakes, the place filtration is important 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 could be very vast, and it’s fascinating to find what’s 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 gasoline is extra of a advertising and marketing operation. From 2026 to 2030, fuels will comprise solely 20% ethanol and can nonetheless be petroleum-derived. The actual shift to artificial will are available 2030, when ARAMCO will launch the bottom recipe to different producers. It received’t be a single-spec gasoline, however somewhat a base chemical system launched by ARAMCO, the Saudi firm working with the FIA. Then, producers will be capable of customise their fuels based on their wants: detonation, combustion kind, and timing.”
Are paddock rumors true that the very best gasoline may supply a 30-horsepower benefit?
“Within the high-pressure gasoline 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 assorted chemical components, 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 effectively, others much less so. We use metal for the filtering half and titanium for the metallic parts. 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 interchange the filter, and the automobile can restart…”
Are you testing revolutionary options by no means utilized in F1 for subsequent yr?
“With filtering media,” continues Davide Moletta, “we continuously 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 gasoline. We do the identical with adhesives. Updates are almost every day, making dimensional research extra agile. Air filters, for instance, are available very completely different shapes due to every crew’s aerodynamic design. Each engine maker defines a particular house: filtration may be related, however sizes are very completely different.”
What’s probably the most important component?
“The filter that protects the driving force. We are able to afford an engine concern that stops the automobile, however not a failure in driver security: the DRS and brake circuits should all the time be good. 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 modifications on this space in 2026?
“The varied hydraulic manifolds have particular technical filtration necessities. In braking, there’s now a twin rear circuit—the place as soon as the pedal immediately managed the caliper, immediately there’s brake-by-wire, which provides power restoration braking: two hydraulic circuits, yet one more conventional and a second multi-pass. The 2 techniques require completely different filters. The primary lasts longer, whereas the second is way more high-performance.”
The 2026 improvements received’t cease on the energy items—there will even be lively aerodynamics on the entrance, along with the rear DRS flap. This received’t essentially enhance the variety of filters on the automobiles. It can rely on 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 crew 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. With regards to designing with metallic or plastic filter supplies, the Nogarole Rocca workers collaborates with the Ala di Trento crew.”
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 learning filtration for hydrogen, which shall be essential for future e-fuels.”
Are you exploring new supplies?
“There are various 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 scale back the load of 2026 automobiles by about thirty kilos: weight discount, past dimensional research, will contain refining each single element. Crew chief designers are evaluating transferring hydraulic circuits and filters to extra advantageous positions for automobile stability.
“Typically, the shopper drives the event of the hydraulic circuit to optimize the scale of the filter housings. As soon as the best spot is discovered to profit from out there house 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.”
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers find out about us
