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FIA’s bold rule changes for F1 racing rejected by teams: what does the future hold?

Carl Smith by Carl Smith
December 14, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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FIA’s bold rule changes for F1 racing rejected by teams: what does the future hold?
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FIA Faces Team Resistance in Crucial F1 Regulation Overhaul: Are We on the Brink of a Major Change?

As the 2025 Formula 1 championship reaches its pivotal conclusion in Abu Dhabi, the FIA is grappling with the aftermath of its ambitious regulatory cycle for ground-effect cars that commenced in 2022. The goals were clear: enhance on-track competitiveness, tighten the pack, and ensure a financially sustainable future for the sport. However, as Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA’s director of single-seaters, reflects on this journey, his assessment reveals a mixed bag of progress and pitfalls.

While Tombazis concedes that strides have been made, he is not shy about admitting the shortcomings. “We’ve made a significant step in the right direction on most of these aims, but I certainly wouldn’t claim total success on everything,” he stated candidly. In his eyes, the FIA has earned no more than a B or C grade in this ambitious endeavor.

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One area where the FIA can pat itself on the back is the financial health of Formula 1. The implementation of a cost cap has undoubtedly made the series more robust and stable. Tombazis notes, “I would certainly say that we cannot even imagine not having the financial regulations now. So I think that has been a success.” However, the complexity of the cost cap has also posed significant regulatory challenges for the FIA, making their task more daunting than ever.

But when it comes to the quality of racing, the narrative shifts dramatically. Tombazis acknowledges that while cars are indeed capable of closer racing, the regulatory framework has allowed for certain “loopholes” that have inadvertently increased the turbulence in the air surrounding the cars. “There were certainly some areas of the regulations that were a bit too permissible,” he explained, pointing to specific components that have undermined the initial intent of the rules.

The front wing endplate has emerged as a primary culprit, initially designed to promote streamlined airflow. However, ambiguous regulations allowed teams to exploit this component, leading to excessive outwash – a phenomenon that has created more dirty air and complicated overtaking. Tombazis also highlighted the front wheel drum design and the edges of the floor as additional areas where performance has deviated from the intended regulations.

The result? A significant deterioration in racing quality as teams found ways to manipulate the rules to their advantage. What was once an exciting spectacle in early 2022 has since been marred by the very regulations meant to enhance the sport.

When pressed on whether the FIA had considered revising these regulations during the current cycle, Tombazis confirmed that such discussions had taken place. “These areas I mentioned, it’s not like that is something new today. It was also the case two years ago. Why we didn’t [change the rules]? Well, we tried, but we didn’t have enough support among the teams,” he revealed. This lack of unity among teams highlights a critical issue: substantial regulatory changes require a broad consensus, something that has proven elusive.

Looking forward, Tombazis is cautiously optimistic about the upcoming season. He believes that the new regulations will significantly mitigate the problem of dirty air, though he acknowledges the need for patience. “The outwash, we obviously believe that it will be better, but let’s have this discussion in two years and hopefully we will tell you that it was all OK and we will be all smiling,” he noted, leaving fans and teams alike waiting with bated breath.

As the world watches the unfolding drama of Formula 1, the tension between innovation and regulation remains palpable. Will the FIA succeed in reshaping the sport for a more competitive future, or are they destined to repeat past mistakes? Only time will tell as we gear up for another thrilling season of high-speed drama and fierce competition.

Tags: 1958-formula-1-season2025-formula-1-championshipNikolas Tombazis
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