The FIA has imposed a ban on all teams: the 2026 cars cannot be developed in the wind tunnel before January 1, 2025.
Something similar happened with the 2022 cars and had been a topic of discussion in the F1 Commission in recent weeks.
The FIA statement
Now, however, it’s official, stating: “In order to prevent tests aimed at developing the 2026 season, from 12/1/2023 to 1/1/2025 inclusive, only RWTT – restricted wind tunnel tests – using a scale model substantially compliant with the F1 technical regulations of 2023, 2024, or 2025 can be conducted.”
There is, however, an exception: “With the exception of wind tunnel tests aimed at developing braking system components with a minimum of air ducts and provided that such tests do not simultaneously test – or in any case provide data or incidental knowledge of – the performance or resistance of parts or systems classified as bodywork.”
“Wind tunnel tests cannot be conducted using car geometries partially or wholly compliant and/or substantially derived from drafts and/or published versions of the F1 2026 technical regulations or from 2026 bodywork geometries and concepts proposed by the FIA,” was specified by the Federation.
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In short, despite being far from the start of the 2024 season, the FIA wanted to communicate this regulatory change well in advance.
Before thinking about the new cars of 2026, however, we have two more seasons of Formula 1 to experience race by race, always keeping an eye on the future.
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