FIA reveal 2026 F1 Regulations

The FIA have revealed the upcoming 2026 Formula 1 regulations in a showcase which has made the next generation, smaller, lighter and more competitive. 

Feature image credit: FIA

On Thursday, the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) revealed the upcoming 2026 F1 technical regulations in a virtual showcase. 

The new regulations, delivered by the FIA, have promised this will make the cars lighter, safer, more competitive and more sustainable.  

Commenting on the showcase, FIA Single Seater Technical Director Nikolas Tombazis said: 

“With this set of regulations the FIA has sought to develop a new generation of cars that are fully in touch with the DNA of Formula 1 – cars that are light, supremely fast and agile but which also remains at the cutting edge of technology, and to achieve this we worked towards what we called a ‘nimble car’ concept.

“At the centre of that vision is a redesigned power unit that features a more even split between the power derived from the internal combustion element and electrical power.”

The governing body has opted to reduce the width and length of the current cars, in turn making them 30kg lighter and more ‘nimble’ cars.  

Currently, the cars stand as 2m wide which would be reduced to 1.9m in ‘26. In terms of length, the 2024 cars are 3.6m long but will be shortened down to 3.4m. 

As a result of the shortened cars, it means the FIA have reduced downforce by 30% and reduced drag by 55%. In addition, the FIA have brought in active aerodynamics on both the rear and front of the cars. 

In the current generation of F1 machinery, the drivers and teams can only use DRS when they’re within one-second of the car in front. From 2026 onwards, the driver will be able to manually use the car on any straight around the circuit – increasing the ability to overtake. 

The front wing will be 100mm shorter than the current cars and will consist of a two-element active flag, and the front wheel arches have been removed. 

“On the chassis side we have managed to reduce the size and weight of the car by 30kg resulting in a much more dynamic car,” Tombazis continued. 

“In addition we are introducing two exciting new features to enhance racing – active aerodynamics to achieve very low drag on the straights and the Manual Override system that will provide drivers with an on-demand burst of battery power when close enough to the car ahead of them.”

The car’s will increase safety performance with added protection in the front nose and side structures of the cockpit. Plus, roll hoop loads have been increased from 16G to 20G.

From 2026, the power units will run on full, 100% sustainable fuels. This falls in line with the sports and the FIA’s objective to be ‘Net Zero Carbon by 2030.’ 

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.