The FIA targets “lighter, more powerful and more focused on driver skill” cars as the main focus for the 2026 Formula 1 regulations
The 2026 regulations have been just fully undercovered, including an important number of significant innovations and philosophical changes compared to the current F1 cars.
While the power unit guidelines went public two years ago, the chassis side remained a big question mark until today’s announcement, showing the whole FIA’s blueprint for 2026,
The FIA, during the announcement, explained that the main targets while developing the new regulations were to provide more sustainable cars, better racing and reduce the dimensions of the chassis to enhance better racing.
Active Aero is another big takeaway from the updated cars. The new cars will feature movable front and rear wings to switch from high to low downforce depending on the demands of the track. This will effectively replace the current DRS system.
FIA Single Seater Technical Director Nikolas Tombazis explained that the governing body is also looking to make the sport more dependent on the driver’s skill rather than the car development, providing more equal opportunities where the driver can ultimately make a difference.
Tombazis explained that “the regulations have been designed to provide closer racing among drivers, increase the competition between teams, and improve the spectacle.”
“We have opted for a higher electrical component of the power unit, a more efficient car overall, and fully sustainable fuels, as part of our drive towards a more sustainable future for our sport.”
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali added that this new generation of cars and power units aims to give the fans “closer and exciting racing,” and assures F1 is “in the strongest position” it has ever been with this new ruleset.
“We enter this new regulatory cycle with the sport in the strongest position it has ever been, and I am confident that the work done by the FIA to create these regulations will further strengthen the position of the sport around the world.”
“The new sustainably fuelled hybrid power unit presents a huge opportunity for the global automotive industry, the drop in fuel has the potential to be used by cars around the world and dramatically cut emissions. “
“Its potential is one of the key reasons why we will have a record number of engine suppliers in Formula 1 in 2026,” explained Domenicali.
FIA President Mohamed Ben Sulayem has also highlighted that the future regulations will make Formula 1 “even more attractive to power unit manufacturers” ahead of Ford and Audi entering the sport from 2026 onwards.
“The Power Unit Regulations have already resulted in a record number of PU manufacturers committing to the sport. And now, in tandem with chassis regulations that provide for lighter, more agile cars featuring innovative aerodynamic solutions, we have created a set of regulations designed to not only improve racing but also to make the championship even more attractive to PU manufacturers, OEMs and existing competitors,” explained Sulayem.
“The key features of the 2026 F1 Regulations are advanced, sustainability technology and safety. Our aim, together with Formula 1, was to produce a car that was right for the future of the sport’s elite category. We believe we have achieved that goal.”
