F1 | FIA reveals ground-effect era data: worrying numbers and confirmed failure
New data from the FIA confirm the failure of the ground-effect era to improve overtaking, making a comeback in 2026 essential. This generation of Formula 1 cars has again fallen short of public expectations, as fans had hoped for a more thrilling and engaging F1 since 2022. The current regulations were designed to allow drivers to follow each other more closely to promote overtakes, but the results have been disappointing. Initially, there was some improvement, but it quickly faded.
Aerodynamic developments have reintroduced everything the regulations aimed to eliminate: dirty air and turbulence. Teams progressively exploited gray areas in the rules, recovering performance but reducing the quality of on-track action. Over the seasons, the spectacle declined, and today many races see very few overtakes. As a result, the FIA has been forced to intervene by approving the 2026 regulations, some details of which have already been revealed.
New data emerges from FIA analyses
The FIA has openly acknowledged the failure and even quantified it, with data reported by The Race. CFD simulations indicate that in 2022, the loss of downforce at a two-car length distance was 5%, while today it has quadrupled. Looking further back, in the previous regulatory era ending in 2021, a pursuing car 10 meters behind lost up to 45% of its downforce. Early 2022 simulations improved this figure, reducing the loss to 15%. However, as cars developed, by the end of 2025 the loss had climbed back up to around 35%, dangerously approaching pre-2022 levels.
At 20 meters, the values were 35% in 2019, 5% in 2022, and 20% in 2025. These numbers clearly highlight the shortcomings of the current regulatory cycle.
2026 regulations aim for a significant improvement
Simulations for 2026 cars estimate a 20% downforce loss at 10 meters and 10% at 20 meters. These figures are slightly worse than the 2022 debut but are not alarming. The new cars will be smaller, lighter, and equipped with active aerodynamics. The bodywork will be redesigned to generate a cleaner wake and facilitate overtaking. The absence of Venturi tunnels will also prevent cars from being excessively pushed to the ground, making them less sensitive to turbulence. On-track performance will also be influenced by new power units and tires with more pronounced differences between compounds.
The FIA is attempting to revive Formula 1, which in recent years has shown a clear decline in spectacle.
Dirty air will never be completely eliminated at Formula 1’s extreme performance levels, but the FIA is determined to close regulatory loopholes and prevent teams from pushing designs that prioritise qualifying pace over raceability. After four years of disappointment, 2026 cannot come soon enough for overtaking-starved F1 fans.
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