SUMMARY
- FIA imposes stringent regulations for 2026 F1 cars, focusing on weight reduction and chassis modifications.
- Teams face weight reduction challenge as FIA raises minimum limit with the aim for 110-120 pounds cut by 2026.
The FIA has imposed a new minimum weight regulation as F1 will soon enter the new regulatory era in 2026. The persistent issue of cars becoming heavier every passing season triggered this move. There had been extensive talks on the minimum weight set for Formula 1 vehicles prior to the 2022 season. The ground effect rule was incorporated to ease misgivings about drivers’ difficulty keeping up with their rivals at curves.
Unexpectedly, only Alfa Romeo (now turned Stake F1) went with the requirement. This resulted in the governing body boosting the weight restriction significantly to suit other teams such as Red Bull who usually go beyond the limit. Consequently, cutting down the weight of Formula 1 vehicles will be the top goal. However, this concern also came from the drivers who have observed an increase in bulkiness.
FIA introduces cutthroat regulations from 2026
The new code will bring down the weight of the cars by approximately 111 pounds. Teams will be compelled to devote more effort to shed extra weight, doing away with the excuses used in 2022. The FIA seems to be articulating this need well in advance. They are also offering squads with precise directions on how to build their cars by 2026.
🚨 Comparison of 2026 Vs 2023 F1 Cars
Initially the talk was of a weight saving target of 20 then 30 Kg and now the FIA is aiming for a minimum weight reduction of 40-50 Kg for the 2026 cars đź‘€
[https://t.co/pHp2VWgE93] pic.twitter.com/6y4VhfGWjr
— RBR Daily (@RBR_Daily) January 7, 2024
The FIA’s Single Seater Director, Nicolas Tombazis, verified to the media that the rules will be issued in about six months. He stated, “If we talk about where we are in 2026, we have an objective to define the regulations, at least in their first form by the end of June, that is in accordance with the International Sporting Code timeline. We are looking to reduce the weight limit by 40 to 50 kilos in 2026.”
In 2026, a lot of things will be different, especially in the Power Units (PU), with an increase in electrical power as well as developments to the cars themselves.
2026 F1 cars slated to be ‘nimble’
The FIA has kept specific details about the 2026 F1 car chassis under wraps, although broad concepts have been discussed. Tombazis revealed the fundamental design of the 2026 Formula 1 car is going to be quite distinct from that of the present model. He said, “The way we want to do that is related to what we’ve termed the ‘nimble car’ concept.”
🚨 Update on the 2026 regulations by FIA’s Nikolas Tombazis:
– Cars will become smaller in length and width with narrower tyres
– Cars will become lighter by 50 Kg
– Ground Effect will be the concept again[@FormulaPassion] #F1 pic.twitter.com/n15vqpgRLq
— RBR Daily (@RBR_Daily) September 9, 2023
Shorter cars are expected with a potential decrease in wheelbase from the existing limit of 3600mm to 3400mm. There is also a narrower build, down by 10cm from 2000mm to 1900mm. These alterations will be crucial to minimize downforce in along with aiding in overall weight loss. The FIA sees the 2026 cars as an evolution of the current concept while refining rules to enhance cars’ ability to follow each other.
