Monocoque

A monocoque is a vehicle construction technique where the chassis and body form a single integrated structure, with the outer shell bearing most of the stress loads. The term comes from the French for "single shell."

First pioneered in Formula 1 by Lotus in 1962 with aluminum, modern monocoques are typically made from carbon fiber composites. This design offers superior strength, reduced weight, and better driver protection compared to traditional frame-based chassis designs.

All modern Formula 1 cars use carbon fiber monocoques, which serve as safety cells for drivers while also providing mounting points for suspension, engine, and aerodynamic components. This technology has influenced road car design, appearing in high-performance vehicles like the McLaren Senna and Alfa Romeo 4C.