Formula 1’s 2026 Revolution: Teams Raise Concerns Over New Car Design and Regulations
Just a day after the FIA unveiled its concept images and outline plans for the 2026 Formula 1 car design revolution, teams have begun to express their worries about some of the proposed changes. The FIA’s online meeting with its Technical Advisory Committee on Thursday highlighted some of the issues at stake, prompting team bosses to request a discussion on the topic at a gathering in the Montreal paddock on Saturday morning.
The meeting, a semi-regular gathering with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and other senior stakeholders, will focus on the latest issues in F1, with the 2026 regulations taking center stage. Currently, teams are concerned about the FIA pushing forward with certain rules that they believe may not work as intended. One of the key concerns is the overall aerodynamic concept, with some teams suggesting that the new cars could be slow due to a lack of downforce and frequent battery power depletion.
Additionally, teams are worried about the weight reduction plans, which aim to make the cars 30kg lighter than the current machinery despite a likely increase in battery bulk. There are fears that achieving this weight reduction will be extremely challenging and costly, leading to an unnecessary pursuit of marginal gains.
Another area of concern is the active aero plans, with the FIA proposing a dual-state system featuring Z-mode for high downforce and X-mode for low drag on straights. Teams want more details on how this system will work and its potential impact on the sport.
“The FIA’s publication of its plans this week has brought these concerns to the forefront, with teams realizing that significant decisions about the 2026 regulations have already been made.”
The governing body aims to finalize the rules by the end of June, a deadline that has sparked debate among teams. Under the FIA’s International Sporting Code, any regulation change with a substantial impact on car design or performance balance requires publication by June 30, a year and a half before implementation. After this period, revisions require support from competitors, which could be challenging given the differing opinions among teams.
Some teams would like to delay the publication of the rules until October to allow for further refinement, but this proposal was blocked by a team that wants to stick to the June deadline. However, Article 18.2.4 of the ISC allows for a shorter notice period with the support of a majority of teams, provided the FIA can justify the exception.
As the 2026 Formula 1 season approaches, teams and the FIA must work together to address these concerns and ensure that the new car design and regulations enhance the sport for drivers, teams, and fans alike.
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