Series determined to maintain current spectacle, environmental stability, financial sustainability and attractiveness.
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Formula 1 is still working on the framework of its 2026 regulations, when new power units will be introduced, and has previously the new regulations around four key pillars.
They are maintaining the current spectacle, environmental stability, financial sustainability and attractiveness to new power unit manufacturers.
On Tuesday, the FIA presented a number of key targets to the F1 Commission on prospective aerodynamic updates to complement the new power unit and these were received positively.
They include a desire to reduce the dimensions of the cars and reduce—or contain—the mass of the cars from 2026. Cars have gradually become bigger across recent decades while the minimum weight has increased to almost 800 kg (1,763 pounds), with several teams in 2022 running overweight as well.
The ambitions for 2026 also include attempting to significantly reduce drag in order to improve sustainability and efficiency, due to the anticipated reduction of overall horsepower because of the removal of MGU-H.
It was also outlined that the FIA wants to “maintain and improve on recent lessons learned about close racing and cars being able to follow each other.”
Sustainability remains a key ambition with the FIA eager to continue standardising or simplifying certain components for cost-cutting purposes, and expand the usage of sustainable materials and technologies.
Other items
• Formula 1 has tried out helmet cameras in recent years, and for 2022 they have become an increasing part of the broadcast as the technology continues to improve. Due to their success, the regulations for 2023 have been updated to mandate the use of these cameras for all drivers.
• Elsewhere, Formula 1 drivers will have their weekend allocation of tire sets reduced from 13 to 11 at two events next year in order to evaluate its impact on on-track running with the intention to move to more sustainable use of tires in the future.
• There was no update on a possible replacement race for the canceled Russian Grand Prix. Qatar was earmarked as a candidate but recent reports linked Singapore to running back-to-back events in the city state, aiding logistics, but no decision has yet been made.
Keyword: F1 Commission Wants Smaller Cars as Part of 2026 Regulations