The Barcelona shakedown represented an important first test not only for the Formula 1 teams, but also for the FIA itself, which was tasked with validating the most ambitious technical regulations seen in the sport in recent years. Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA’s director of single-seaters, expressed clear satisfaction after finally seeing the 2026 cars on track, highlighting an aspect that is particularly close to fans’ hearts.
“The sound is nicer, better than what we presented last year. I hope the fans get excited and that they feel their hearts beating a little faster for these cars,” Tombazis said, underlining the emotional component that the new generation of Formula 1 machinery is expected to bring back.
Early impressions from the paddock appear to have swept away the initial doubts surrounding the drivability of these cars, especially given the equal importance now assigned to the electrical and thermal elements of the power unit. According to FIA technical director Jan Monchaux, the feedback from the drivers has been reassuring from the very beginning.
“The cars look good, they sound good and they are intuitive to drive. They put more emphasis on driver input than before. That is very positive for everyone who put in a huge effort, especially after all the criticism at the start,” Jan Monchaux explained.
The two FIA figures shared their first assessment of the 2026 cars in a video interview published on the Federation’s official YouTube channel, from which the most interesting passages have emerged.
Goodbye to traditional DRS: the challenge of active aerodynamics
One of the most radical changes introduced by the 2026 regulations is the abandonment of the DRS as it has been known so far, replaced by a fully active aerodynamic system involving both the front and rear wings. According to Nikolas Tombazis, success under the new rules will depend on achieving the right balance between engine and chassis development.
“To win, you have to be good on all fronts. It is a team effort: I do not think you can easily split the weight between aerodynamics and the power unit. It is like a football team with a thousand players; the driver is the most visible one, but there are another thousand people performing a very clear choreography,” Nikolas Tombazis said.
Jan Monchaux confirmed that the increased complexity of the system has not unsettled the drivers, who have found the cars more intuitive than expected. “Getting this positive feedback from the drivers is reassuring. It is good for everyone who worked hard to deliver regulations that initially came with many question marks, not to mention criticism. Hearing that the cars react well despite the introduction of active aerodynamics is a comforting start, even if we still need to give the next tests time to build a complete picture.”
Performance targets: close to 2025, but with room to grow
The FIA has supported the teams as much as possible throughout this challenging transition, which simultaneously affects the chassis and the power unit. “This first test is the culmination of work that started back in 2021. We are here because this change does not concern only the teams, but also us as the FIA. We have to make sure the cars run legally, and there are new things we need to monitor in terms of compliance. It is a big learning process for everyone,” Nikolas Tombazis added.
His comments also referenced the compression ratio issue that has been fueling intense discussions between engine manufacturers and the Federation in recent weeks. Nikolas Tombazis was keen to point out that outright lap time is not the sole measure of success for the new rules.
“What makes Formula 1 exciting is that these are the fastest and best cars in the world. It is not about being one second faster or slower, it is about competition. Without regulations, it would be very easy to make fast cars. Lap time on its own is not the only objective,” he said.
Along the same lines, Monchaux expects development to progress extremely quickly. “I have no doubt that within a couple of months the teams will already have caught up and become faster and faster. We know they will bring upgrade packages already at the second or third test,” he explained.
Speaking specifically about early-season performance, Monchaux added: “I think on some circuits the cars at the start of the season will have a pace similar to 2025; on others they could be a bit slower, so it will fluctuate.”
Crackdown on regulations: “The cleverest will not win”
Beyond the aerodynamic challenge, the FIA is closely monitoring power unit compliance, particularly with regard to the compression ratio, which has been capped at 16:1 to encourage the entry of new manufacturers. Nikolas Tombazis acknowledged that a technical tug of war has already begun.
“Since these engineers are very clever and always push for an advantage, some have found ways to potentially increase the compression ratio when the engine is hot, and that is the discussion we are having right now,” he said.
As he has stated before, Nikolas Tombazis reiterated that the FIA’s intention is to start the season without doubts or suspicions. “Our intention is to resolve these issues for the start of the season,” he confirmed.
The Federation’s goal is to prevent the championship from shifting away from the racetrack and into courtrooms or stewards’ rooms over grey areas in the regulations. “We want people to compete on track and not in court or in the stewards’ room. We are determined to make this a championship of competition between the best drivers and engineers, but not a championship of rule interpretation.”
Nikolas Tombazis concluded firmly: “We want it to be a championship of engineering excellence and driving skill, not of who is the cleverest interpreter of the rules.”
As Formula 1 enters this brave new era, the FIA’s firm stance on regulatory clarity serves as a vital safeguard for the sport’s integrity. By prioritizing transparent competition over technical loopholes, the governing body is ensuring that the 2026 title will be earned through genuine innovation and on-track bravery. This proactive approach not only silences early skeptics but also sets the stage for a season where the roar of the engines—now more resonant than ever—remains the true voice of the championship. For fans and teams alike, the message is clear: the focus must remain on the pursuit of excellence, ensuring that the fastest cars in the world are also the most fairly contested.
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