The 2026 Formula 1 cars will never be like the rendering the FIA presented before the Canadian GP. In the meeting held by the teams on Saturday in Montreal with the championship promoter, the team principals pointed out that some aspects that should characterize the so-called agile cars are unrealistic.
The teams have conducted their simulations, which showed that the weight reduction of about 30 kg will be practically impossible since the weight of the power units has been increased from 151 kg to 185 kg, a delta that exceeds the weight savings desired.
In the federal legislator’s idea, there is a desire to reduce the dimensions of the cars (20 cm in wheelbase; 10 cm in width) by narrowing the tires, which will remain 18 inches, but these measures would not be enough to compensate for the weight increase allowed to the engine manufacturers, even if the use of metal-matrix, magnesium, and titanium in the construction of some parts were authorized.
The International Federation is aware that efforts must be made on the chassis part to achieve the project target, but the teams fear that by liberalizing noble materials, there will only be a significant rise in costs for a modest weight reduction.
According to the teams, the performance of the car proposed by the FIA will not be adequate for the pinnacle series of world motorsport, closer to Formula 2 than the current Formula 1. Therefore, the idea will be to change the approach: the change in aerodynamic philosophy, reintroducing a flat bottom instead of Venturi channels and reducing the effectiveness of the rear diffuser to cut down aerodynamic load by 30%, does not seem the best way to achieve a good final result.
The draft regulation, once approved by the FIA World Council, can be amended, but changing the rules will require the majority of the teams. And it will not be easy to find full cooperation from the teams without someone trying to gain advantages by bringing ideas and solutions they are more familiar with.
In short, we should prepare for a rather turbulent phase of rule definition in which the political aspect could have a much greater weight than the technical and sporting one. Someone has thought of increasing the availability of fuel for the thermal engine to avoid situations where a power unit with a depleted battery could run with almost 50% less power.
Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA’s head of single-seaters, hopes there will be cooperation from the manufacturers to find a regulatory synthesis that allows for the approval of a 2026 F1 in line with expectations. The doubt is that an underground battle with low blows might ensue…
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