As Formula 1 teams and drivers navigate a record-breaking 24-race season, the summer shutdown couldn’t come soon enough. Explore the vital role this 14-day break plays in allowing teams to recharge and maintain their facilities, ensuring they’re prepared to tackle the second half of the season with renewed energy.
Browsing: Formula 1 regulations
Christian Horner and Lando Norris have voiced concerns that the impending 2026 Formula 1 regulations will disrupt the converging F1 field, warning the new rules could ‘smash it all up’. The pair fear the seismic changes, including a 50/50 power split hybrid engines and smaller dimensions, could undo the close competition that has emerged in recent years.
In a recent interview, Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen attributed the converging grid in the 2024 Formula 1 season to the current regulations being too restrictive. The Dutch driver believes that the lack of creative freedom in the current ruleset has led to teams replicating Red Bull’s concept, ultimately closing the gap between competitors.
The FIA has updated its Formula 1 superlicence rules to allow exceptional 17-year-old drivers to enter the sport, a move that could benefit Red Bull’s junior program more than Mercedes’ plans. While the change was initially interpreted as a response to Mercedes’ wishes for its young driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, it has emerged that the team had cooled on the idea. However, the update may now give Red Bull’s Arvid Lindblad the opportunity to gain a superlicence and participate in FP1 sessions starting in August.
As the draft 2026 Formula 1 regulations were unveiled, Max Verstappen voiced his concerns that the planned 30kg weight reduction may not be sufficient to enhance the racing experience. The Dutch driver believes that ‘at least 100-150kg’ needs to be taken out of the cars to make them more agile and enjoyable to drive.
McLaren driver Lando Norris has cautioned that Formula 1 is unlikely to witness qualifying sessions as closely contested as the recent Canadian Grand Prix once the all-new 2026 regulations come into play. Norris believes that a regulatory change tends to spread out the field, nullifying the current convergence as the rules mature.
Lando Norris fears the 2026 Formula 1 rule changes could widen the gaps between teams, moving away from the tightly contested competition of recent races. The McLaren driver believes the sport may not see days like the current ones again, as historical trends show big gaps emerging after regulation changes.
Formula 1 has unveiled the key outlines for the 2026 rules, sparking concerns among multiple teams regarding the active aero regulations, particularly the X-Mode system. The FIA aims to adopt a similar approach to DRS, but teams are wary of the safety implications. This article delves into the details of the new regulations and the FIA’s attempts to address the teams’ concerns.