The 2025 F1 season has just begun, but the attention of the 10 teams on the grid is already focused on 2026. The upcoming season is full of technical challenges, revolving around the new aerodynamics and simplified power units. In an exclusive interview with Brembo, the Italian website f1ingenerale explored several topics, including concerns regarding the definition of the new 2026 regulations.
In recent days, f1ingenerale had the pleasure of speaking with Stefano Pavan, a Brembo engineer responsible for communications between the teams and the Italian-based company. He is also involved in the direct support Brembo provides to teams when needed. In their conversation with Stefano, they explored various subjects, both about the current season and the 2026 season, also touching on the topic of sustainability.
Delving into the 2026 topic, engineer Stefano Pavan answered several questions regarding skepticism about the regulations and doubts about their actual definition. In fact, the FIA has yet to release a final version of the 2026 technical regulations on which teams can base their car designs. After presenting an initial, still immature version last November, the federation has progressed to the current ISSUE 11. However, the drafting of the official regulations is still not complete, nor are the strict guidelines that come with them.
Uncertainty Over the 2026 Regulations
What is causing the delay in publication? It almost seems as if the FIA does not want to give a definitive verdict on the 2026 regulations, as if they are not 100% certain. This delay obviously limits the work of both Brembo and the teams.
“Certainly, yes,” comments Stefano Pavan. “It limits us a lot because, at the moment, we cannot rule out any possibilities. So, if from one version of the regulations to another, simulations change by 10%, for us, it means almost redesigning components. I’m not saying from scratch, but we have to study new alternatives, as both the torques and energy levels change so significantly. This obviously forces us to choose one direction over another—something as simple as the diameter of the brake discs. Right now, the regulations have relaxed slightly compared to the past. However, depending on the simulations, we may choose a larger or smaller diameter, which in turn affects the number of holes in the discs, the type of caliper we can use—there are so many options open until the regulations are finalized, and this situation limits us.”
This scenario seems to fuel the recent rumors of an extension of the current technical regulations. However, a delayed implementation—or in the worst case, a cancellation—would create serious problems for the FIA.
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