Main features of the new technical regulations

The 2026 technical regulations presented today are due to be ratified by the FIA ​​World Motorsport Council on June 28, although this is rather a formal matter and the document will generally not undergo significant changes.

After the publication of its main provisions on the concept of the next generation car, we will talk about it in more detail – again based on information from the FIA.

Innovations have impacted all key areas: powertrain, chassis, aerodynamics, safety and environmental aspects.

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The new motorcycle regulation was first published in August 2022 and can be considered an important step forward. The hybrid power plants currently used in Formula 1 may already be considered the most efficient in the world, but in 2026 the championship teams will receive even more powerful engines.

At the same time, the power of the internal combustion engine will decrease from the current 550-56 kW to 400 kW, but the power of the batteries will almost triple – from 120 kW to 350 kW. In this way, the overall efficiency of the power plants will remain approximately the same, while they will become more environmentally friendly.

An important point is also that they will become structurally simpler, because their structure will no longer contain the most technically complex components: MGU-H engine generators.

In addition, the amount of energy stored in the recuperation process during braking will double, to 8.5 megajoules per lap.

To make overtaking easier, an Override Mode is provided, which can be activated manually by the driver. During the pursuit of an opponent, when the leading car accelerates to 290 km/h, the energy of the hybrid part of its power plant will begin to decrease, and at a speed of 355 km/h it will be zero. while the driver of the second car can activate the Override Mode (“overload mode”) and the MGU-K engine generator will produce a maximum of 350 kW up to a speed of 337 km/h, which equates to an additional 0.5 megajoules per lap.

The new engine regulations are designed to attract new car manufacturers to Formula 1, and this task has been accomplished: Ferrari, Mercedes, Renault/Alpine and Honda will be joined by Audi and Red Bull Ford Powertrains in 2026.

Chassis

In accordance with the Nimble car concept (“maneuverable, agile car”), which forms the basis of the new regulations, the cars will become smaller and lighter. The wheelbase will be reduced from 3600 mm to 3400 mm, and the width will be reduced from the current 2000 mm to 1900 mm. It is separately emphasized that the maximum bottom width is reduced by 150 mm.

Another important aspect is the weight reduction: the minimum weight of the new generation of machines is reduced by 30 kg and amounts to 768 kg. It is believed that the weight of the car and the driver is 722 kg, and another 46 is explained by the tires.

Tire size will remain at the current 18 inches, but the width of the front tires will decrease by 25 mm, the rear tires by 30 mm, but the loss of mechanical grip will be insignificant.

Aerodynamics

The 2026 cars will feature new active aerodynamics systems. Among them are front and rear wings, the design of which includes moving elements, which will increase the speed of turns. On the straights, the rider can always open the wing at his discretion, i.e. convert the aerodynamic body kit to a configuration with reduced air resistance – this will increase the maximum speed.

The rear wing will consist of three elements, the geometry of the end plates will be simplified and the extra (lower) rear wing will disappear completely.

The front wing becomes 100mm narrower and the design includes an active movable plane consisting of two elements.

The fairings for the front wheels will also be a thing of the past, but some bodywork elements will be strictly regulated by the rules to control the turbulence zone created by the tires.

The point is that behind the front wheels, but in front of the side pontoons, the cars are called. “control deflectors”, which will help solve this problem.

Also, the underside of the car will become flatter, diffuser performance and ground effect will decrease, and overall dependence will be extremely reduced.