There may be another year to go before the all-new Formula 1 cars hit the track for the first time, but every team is already well advanced in work on their 2026 car designs for what some, including Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, call the biggest rules reset in F1 history.
Regulatory Tweaks and Changes
While the regulations continue to be adjusted, several changes late last year tackled concerns about slow lap times, improving predicted performance by around two seconds, according to FIA single-seater director Nicholas Tombazis. Major modifications to the regulations were approved in October, with further tweaks in December, increasing the scope for downforce generation and fine control of aerodynamic characteristics.
Overall Direction for 2026 Rules
Compared to 2025, the 2026 cars will be 10 cm narrower, the wheelbase 20 cm shorter, and the minimum weight slashed from the current 800 kg to 724 kg, plus the nominal weight of a set of tires (likely in the 35 to 40 kg range), placing the minimum weight around the 768 kg mark.
Power Unit Overhaul
The defining change is the first major overhaul of the power unit since the introduction of the 1.6L V6 Turbo Hybrid engines in 2014. The key change is a switch to a 50/50 split of conventional power (internal combustion engine) and electrical power. The electric motor now produces 350 kW (approximately 469 brake horsepower), around three times the current 120 kW.
Design Adjustments for Drag Reduction
To achieve the performance required with the new power units, there have been major changes to the car design to reduce drag while maintaining performance in the corners. Design legend Adrian Newey mentioned that the chassis regulations have been written to compensate for the power unit regulations.
Aerodynamic Changes
The most significant changes involve increasing the regulatory box size in which the front wing may be placed, allowing fences underneath each side of the front wing to increase downforce. Additionally, the bodywork in front of the wheel on the outside of the end plate has been freed up to create better potential for flow conditioning.
Venturi Tunnels and Ground Effect
The Venturi tunnels that compress and expand airflow to create low-pressure areas for prodigious downforce are still there, and ground effect will continue to be crucial. However, the 2026 cars are described as less reliant on Venturi tunnels for creating aerodynamic load.
Improved Weight Control and Turbulence Management
The changes aim to improve weight control and ensure turbulence doesn’t become worse than expected. There is now greater freedom around the side pods, allowing teams to use more flow conditioning devices to achieve a good through-corner balance.
Diffuser Size Increase
One of the subtle yet significant changes is the increase in the size of the diffuser, which will aid downforce generation significantly. The reduction in downforce compared to current cars is expected to be around 15% instead of the initial 40%.
Performance Levels and Energy Harvesting
The performance levels of the 2026 cars will vary by track configuration. At slower tracks with opportunities for harvesting energy (e.g., Monaco), the lap time deficit will be smaller. Fast circuits such as Monza will have a bigger drop-off due to the demands of the beefed-up hybrid and full-throttle time.
Conclusion
The 2026 regulations aim to balance the performance and efficiency of F1 cars, ensuring they remain competitive while addressing concerns about turbulence and energy management. As the season progresses, ongoing tweaks will likely be a regular point of discussion and perhaps even controversy.
FAQs
Q1: What is the main change in the 2026 F1 power unit regulations?
A1: The main change is a switch to a 50/50 split of conventional power (internal combustion engine) and electrical power, with the electric motor producing 350 kW.
Q2: How will the 2026 F1 cars differ in terms of dimensions and weight?
A2: The 2026 F1 cars will be 10 cm narrower, have a wheelbase 20 cm shorter, and a minimum weight of around 768 kg, including the nominal weight of the tires.
Q3: What aerodynamic changes have been made for the 2026 F1 cars?
A3: The front wing regulatory box size has been increased, allowing fences underneath each side of the front wing to increase downforce. The bodywork in front of the wheel on the outside of the end plate has been freed up to improve flow conditioning.
Q4: How will the diffuser size increase impact the 2026 F1 cars?
A4: The increase in the size of the diffuser will aid downforce generation significantly, reducing the downforce deficit compared to current cars from 40% to approximately 15%.
Q5: What challenges will the 2026 F1 cars face in terms of performance?
A5: The performance levels will vary by track configuration, with slower tracks having a smaller lap time deficit and fast circuits experiencing a bigger drop-off due to the demands of the hybrid system and full-throttle time.