The FIA caused a stir last Thursday when it announced a preliminary set of the highly anticipated aerodynamic and chassis regulations for the 2026 Formula 1. These radical changes aim to make the cars lighter, smaller, and more environmentally friendly. However, this announcement has caused great agitation in the Montreal paddock, with several team members expressing outrage over the potential issues these regulations may bring. So, is the future of Formula 1 in 2026 all negative?
It is important to note that these regulations are still in the early stages and are subject to change. Therefore, there is no reason to panic just yet. However, there are certainly some aspects that need further refinement.
So, what exactly do these new regulations imply?
Firstly, there will be a 30kg reduction in the minimum weight limit, reaching 768kg. The width of the cars will be reduced from 2000mm to 1900mm, and the maximum floor width will be decreased by 150mm. Additionally, the maximum dimensions of the wheelbase will be reduced from 3600mm to 3400mm. The front tires will be 25mm narrower, while the rear tires will have a 30mm reduction. These changes will result in an overall decrease of 30% in aerodynamic downforce and a 55% reduction in drag.
The cars’ wings will also undergo revisions. The front wings will be 100mm narrower and will feature a two-element active flap. On the other hand, the rear wings will return to having three elements. The lower wing will be eliminated, and the endplates of the rear wings will be simplified compared to the current regulations. Both the front and rear wings will incorporate active aerodynamics to deal with the need for high downforce in corners and low drag on straights.
As a result, the Drag Reduction System (DRS) will no longer be used as a means of overtaking. Instead, it will be replaced by the new Manual Overtake Mode. This mode will allow a chasing driver to use the maximum 350kW power of the MGU-K up to 337kph, while the leading car will not have access to this feature.
These changes come almost two years after the finalization of the 2026 engine regulations, which include the use of sustainable fuels and a 50/50 split between internal combustion and electric power. While these regulations were designed to satisfy manufacturers such as Audi, there are concerns that Formula 1 could become more focused on energy conservation, with aerodynamic regulations being adjusted accordingly.
It is not surprising that these new regulations have faced criticism.
The FIA announced that the new regulations will result in cars that are “lighter, more powerful, and more focused on the skill of the driver.” However, Lewis Hamilton expressed his opinion, stating: “It’s only 30 kilograms, so it’s heading in the right direction, but it’s still heavy. I don’t have a strong opinion on it yet. I’ve spoken to some drivers who have tested it on the simulator and they said it’s quite slow. So we’ll see if it’s really the right direction or not.”
Fernando Alonso also shared his thoughts, saying: “I think it’s probably impossible to reach 30 kilograms already. They have two years to achieve this goal, and as always in F1, what seems impossible in 2024 will become reality in 2026 because there are very intelligent people in the teams. But I believe everything is a consequence of something else present in the cars.”
The concerns were not only raised by the drivers, but also by the team bosses. Andrea Stella, from McLaren, and Mike Krack, from Aston Martin, called for greater collaboration between the teams and the FIA to achieve the goals set for 2026. Krack stated: “I think we are still quite far from the final regulations, and now it is up to all stakeholders to discuss and work constructively on possible issues, instead of using the media to promote their own agendas”.
Stella argued: “The cars are not fast enough in the corners and too fast on the straights. These two aspects need to be rebalanced. It is time for all parties to understand that they need to contribute to the success of the sport, both in terms of power units and chassis”.
James Vowles, the team boss of Williams, even suggested that lap times could be dangerously close to Formula 2 levels. However, he emphasized that these are only preliminary regulations and that there have already been two changes this week that have reduced aerodynamic downforce. He expressed confidence that a better solution can be achieved with a little more work.
It is especially significant that on the same weekend that the FIA introduced these controversial preliminary regulations, we witnessed a qualifying session in which two drivers set identical lap times while fighting for pole position. Just as Formula 1 has reached a stage where the current rules are providing close races, the FIA is causing concern by discussing an imminent rule cycle that few people are happy with.
However, it is still early to panic. It is still early to determine what the cars of 2026 will be like. Fortunately, the FIA has taken note of the criticisms and intends to relax certain aspects of the regulations to satisfy the teams. This news is a relief.
© 2024
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