Six changes and a thousand questions

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) announced on Thursday a series of regulatory changes which will have a major effect on cars on the track from 2026. While the organization promises cars that are “more agile, competitive and durable », the pilots ask themselves a lot of questions.

What will change

The FIA ​​announcement mainly concerns six elements. Some will have little effect in the eyes of the public, for example increased safety measures or the increase in the number of engine manufacturers (six, now). Other changes, however, are significant.

Smaller, lighter cars

The dimensions of the cars will be reduced by 20 centimeters in length and 10 in width. The tires will also be slightly smaller. Above all, we subtract 30 kg from the weight of the single-seaters, which will now weigh 768 kg. We therefore expect to see more “agile” vehicles and less stuck to the ground.

Greener engines

The electric proportion of powertrains will be greater – reaching 50% – and the fuels used are expected to be 100% renewable. The FIA ​​is thus working to respect the carbon neutrality objective it has set for 2030.

Aerodynamic improvements

The Drag Reduction System (DRS) will be replaced by a new system of movable fins, front and rear, which once deployed will have an impact on acceleration in turns and lines. straight. We therefore believe that the races will be “closer”.

New possibilities for overtaking

A new “overtaking mode” will provide additional power to drivers who follow an opponent within a gap of one second or less. The “followers” ​​will thus be able to activate a power pulse generated by their battery.

What pilots fear

Although the drivers have welcomed the FIA’s effort regarding its future regulations, this brings its share of questions. Only a few of the riders were able to test the new features on a simulator, while the others will have to wait until winter 2025 to sit in the first prototypes. A priori, their doubts focused on three themes: the weight of the cars, the real gain in competitiveness and a possible loss of speed.

The weight

This is what seemed to attract the most attention among the drivers on Thursday. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso believes the goal of losing 30kg is unrealistic.

“If you put the power unit at 50% electric, with batteries that support that, the car will be heavier,” he estimated. She’s going to be 30kg heavier due to the power unit, so to go down 30kg you actually have to decrease the weight by 60kg Seems like an impossible target. »

An opinion shared by his teammate Lance Stroll, who seems to find the avenue of “eco-responsible fuels” more promising than that of “large batteries”. The Quebecer would have preferred to see a greater weight reduction than what was announced.

“Unfortunately, it’s just 30kg,” he said. I would prefer 300 kg! They’re boats now. 600 kg cars would be really cool. »

The gap between the teams

Will the new regulations really make it possible to reduce the gap between the top teams and the others, or will, conversely, this gap be even greater? Opinions differ.

“Every time the regulations have changed, a big gap has opened up, especially with the engines,” noted Oscar Piastri (McLaren). The last time was in 2014, and it led to a long period of dominance. »

Same story with Sergio Pérez who, at Red Bull, is well placed to remind us that “there is always the possibility that one team will succeed in finding the right formula” before the others. “After that, it’s very difficult. It takes a few years to catch up with them,” he believes.

Valtteri Bottas is not worried. “I think the peloton is very close, the races are interesting. I don’t think it’s a problem. There should be more action. »

Speed

Lewis Hamilton spoke with drivers who tested the modifications on a simulator, and the echoes he heard did not seem to excite him: “They said it’s quite slow,” he noted. We just need to make sure that the cars are efficient, fast and that these new features are a natural step forward, that the racing is actually improved. »

Stroll agrees: he fears that changes in aerodynamics will make the cars “slower than Formula 2”.

Conversely, Bottas seemed almost already convinced. “It’s good to have a change. »

Daniel Ricciardo (RB) also appeared optimistic, saying he had “confidence in Formula 1” in its desire to replace the drag reduction system. “Let’s say there are enough intelligent people to look into this. If it’s not ideal or perfect at first, there are enough brains to solve the problem. »

No doubt about it.

What leaders fear

It’s not just the pilots who are doubtful: their bosses too.

“I don’t think anyone will be able to conform to the weight,” predicted Williams’ James Vowles at the traditional team bosses’ press briefing on Friday.

After some simulator experiments, it appears that “the cars are not fast enough in the corners and are too fast in a straight line”, reported McLaren’s Andrea Stella. Even if he welcomes the “intention and objectives” of the proposed changes, he is concerned about the ability of the teams to honor them.

“If it works, Formula 1 will be in a good position, but it will take time for us to deliver a product that hits these targets,” he continued.

Aston Martin’s Mike Krack noted the great complexity of future systems. “I believe we must keep in mind the product we offer to spectators,” he insisted. In 2026, I fear that we will hear pilots only talking about technical elements and that the public will lose interest because they do not understand all these details. We must not lose sight of this. »