Formula 1 enters a new era. On the occasion of the Canadian GP, the FIA made official the guidelines of the regulations that will come into force in 2026, giving a strong sign of discontinuity compared to the ground effect single-seaters that we are used to seeing today. The objective of the International Federation was to aim for a more agile F1 with a reversal of trend with respect to the weight and dimensions of the cars, focusing heavily on aerodynamic efficiency and handling in the hope of giving life to GPs with cars in able to stay in each other’s wake, favoring overtaking thanks.
After decades in which the minimum weight has steadily increased, the 2026 single-seaters will finally be subjected to a diet given that they will be 30 kg lighter than the current F1 cars and the overall dimensions will also be significantly reduced with 200 mm of wheelbase and 100 mm of less width.
The power unit will be completely new with the power of the internal combustion engine and the electric one which will be equally distributed, but with a decidedly higher efficiency given that there will be a hybrid power increased by almost 300%.
FIA 2026 F1 car rendering
Photo by: FIA
One of the big innovations is the introduction of active aerodynamics on both the front and rear wings to meet the energy management requirements of the new engines and there will be the X mode option to facilitate overtaking which will replace the DRS.
The intention of the legislator was to design single-seaters that could enhance the driving skills of the drivers, eliminating the knowledge that the teams had acquired with the current ground effect F1 cars. Downforce will be reduced by 30%, while aerodynamic efficiency will increase by 55%. These are important values that represent a great research effort.
It is no coincidence that six manufacturers have adhered to this regulation: Ferrari, Mercedes, Renault, Honda, Audi and Red Bull Ford Powertrains, reaching a record never achieved by the top series. A great deal of work was also aimed at improving safety and sustainability: the fuel, in fact, will be e-fuel, synthetic petrol without fossil components.
Let’s analyze the main points of this revolution, remembering that the rules will have to be ratified by the FIA World Council scheduled for June 28th.
FIA 2026 F1 car rendering
Photo by: FIA
POWER UNIT
Published for the first time in August 2022, the rules on power units establish an important change: the internal combustion engine drops from 550-560 kW to 400 kW, while the hybrid part grows from 120 kW to 350 kW, defining an increase of almost 300% of the electrical power. Performance should remain in line with current power (1,000 horsepower), but sustainability will increase.
- Thanks to the removal of the MGU-H and the expansion of the hybrid part, the power of the 2026 engines will be in line with that of current engines. Together with the introduction of 100% sustainable fuel, it will provide a platform designed to transfer the innovation introduced in F1 to series production.
- The energy that can be recovered during braking will be doubled, for a total recoverable energy of 8.5 MJ per lap.
- An Override mode has been designed to create better overtaking opportunities: when two F1s are in battle, the one in front will see the hybrid’s range gradually decrease after 290 km/h, reaching zero at 355 km/h, while the car trailing will benefit from the Override which will provide the MGU-K with 350 kW up to 337 km/h and +0.5 MJ of extra energy.
FIA 2026 F1 car rendering
Photo by: FIA
CHASSIS
- The wheelbase drops from a maximum of 3,600 mm to 3,400 mm, while the width has been reduced from 2,000 mm to 1,900 mm. The maximum floor width will be reduced by 150 mm.
- Weight reduction was a key objective: in 2026 cars will have a minimum weight of 768 kg, down 30 kg compared to the 2022 regulation cars. Mass will be defined by 722 kg of car and driver + 46 kg estimated for the tires.
- Downforce will be reduced by 30% and aerodynamic drag by 55%.
- The rims will still be 18 inches, although the width of the front tires will be reduced by 25 mm and the rear ones by 30 mm, but with a minimal loss of grip.
FIA 2026 F1 car rendering
Photo by: FIA
AERODYNAMICS
- The 2026 cars will also benefit from all-new active aerodynamic systems. The system, which involves movable front and rear wings, will result in higher cornering speeds with the standard Z mode. On straights, riders will be able to switch to X mode, a low-drag configuration designed to maximize straight-line speed.
- A three-element active rear wing will be adopted, while the beam wing has been removed and the side bulkheads will be simplified.
- The front wing will be 100 mm narrower than the current one and will feature a two-element active flap.
- Unlike current cars, the front wheel arches will be removed and the wake will be controlled with bulkheads that will be introduced on the bellies.
- The cars will feature a partially flat floor and a less extreme diffuser, which will reduce ground effect and reduce the cars’ reliance on ultra-stiff and low suspensions.
SAFETY
- To improve the front crash, the FIA introduces new noses with a two-stage deformable structure to prevent the survival cell from remaining unprotected after a first impact and therefore being able to withstand a second contact.
- Side intrusion protection has been increased. The new specification offers better protection around the passenger compartment and doubles the sealing near the tank and battery. These results will be achieved without adding weight.
- Roll hoop loads have been increased from 16G to 20G in line with other single-seater formulas and crash test loads will go from 141kN to 167kN.
- The LEDs on the side bulkheads of the rear wing will be approved and significantly more visible/brighter than the current ones. Side safety lights will be introduced to identify the ERS status of a car stopped on the track.
- The GPS antenna will be repositioned to improve its sensitivity and to allow for future developments in the field of active safety.
