The FIA released the “New Era of Competition” earlier in the Canadian GP weekend, which were the regulations for 2026. The Drivers have expressed their emotions about the car expressing how they believe it may be “extremely slow”.
- “I’ve spoken to some drivers who have driven it on the simulator — I haven’t — but they said it’s pretty slow, so we will see whether it’s actually the right direction or not.” – Lewis Hamilton
- “We’ve had our sim guys do some work, but myself I haven’t done any work, I don’t want to speak out of turn, but I think it’s going to be very slow, extremely slow.” – Alex Albon
- “It looks like a lot less downforce, especially high-speed corners. It will be quite a different scenario and characteristic to now. So, you know, there is going to be definitely a drastic change. And, you know, change is always … you’re not always so open to it, but we’ll see what happens between now and in the one and a half years, if there might be some small adjustments or not with what’s going on.” – Nico Hulkenberg
KEY UPDATES:
- More powerful hybrid engines with increase in electrical power
- Lighter and smaller cars to improve + efficiency and handling
- Hybrid engines with 100% sustainable fuel
- Manual Override mode to provide following cars with boost of energy
- Agile car concept at the heart of regulations to promote closer, more exciting racing
- New active aerodynamics
POWER UNIT:
- World’s most efficient hybrid engine enhanced to deliver more power than current power unit
- Double the energy recovered during braking vs 2022 cars
- 300% increase in electric power, 100% sustainably fuelled
- Manual Override Mode delivers extra energy to following car to improve overtaking opportunities
- Regulations attract record six power unit suppliers for 2026 season
CHASSIS:
- The cars will be narrower, dropping from 2m wide to 1.9m
- The wheelbase will be reduced from 3.5m to 3.4m
- Downforce will be reduced by 30% and drag by 55%
- Each car will be lighter, down 30kg to 768kg
- The width of the front tyres has been reduced by 25mm, and the rears by 30mm
AERODYNAMICS:
- Introduction of two new aerodynamic modes ‘Z-Mode’ and ‘X-Mode’
- Driver can switch to X-Mode on straights for a low downforce configuration to maximise top speed
- When applied, ‘Z -Mode’ will alter front and rear wings for drivers to enjoy greater cornering speed
- A two-element active rear wing flap will be implemented
- The front wing will be 100mm narrower and will also have a two-element active flap
- Front wheel arches will be removed
SAFETY:
- Revised two-stage front impact structure to better protect against secondary impacts during incidents
- Increase in side intrusion protection
- Introduction of extra lights indicating electrical states of a car
- Roll hoop loads increased
SUSTAINABILITY:
- New hybrid engines powered by 100% sustainable fuel from 2026
- Fuel will be “drop-in” and can work in almost any combustion engine
- 2026 regulations in line with F1 and FIA net zero 2030 goals
f1 frontline 