Why does the regulations change just when the field begins to close competitiveness? The new Regs for 2026 look like a lottery for the teams that nail them or fail them, which leads to a dominant team and those who are left behind. Stable regis = competitive races. – Matt
The F1 has always changed its regulations from time to time. It is an inevitable and necessary part of the sport.
Often in the past, it was because the governing body felt the need to intervene in some way.
Perhaps because the cars were being too fast or dangerous, as at the end of the last era of earth’s effect in 1982, or when Ayrton Senna was killed in 1994. Or change a racing aspect that was no longer considered desirable, as when repositions for 2010 was prohibited.
And the engine rules also changed often, again for several reasons.
This time, the starting point was the engine. F1 and FIA wanted to do the sport more attractive to the new manufacturers. So they created some working groups that involve manufacturers and presented the rules of 2026.
These retain 1.6-liter Turbo V6 hybrids, but simplify them by removing the MGU-H, which recovers the energy from the turbo and is highly complex and has been considered a barrier for new suppliers.
They have also increased electrical capacity so that about 50% of the total power will come from the electrical part of the engine and work with 100% sustainable fuel.
Worked. Audi came in – which was the idea behind the rules. Porsche in the end did not do it. But Ford returned, in collaboration with Red Bull. Honda stays when she was going to get out. And General Motors also enters next year, although his engine will not be ready until 2029.
There was already a desire to perfect the rules of the chassis, to solve some of the problems that arose with the terrestrial effect councilors of 2022. But the new engine rules required other changes.
It was clear that recovering enough energy to supply the batteries was going to be a problem. Thus, rule manufacturers have turned into a mobile aerodynamics, reducing drag in the straight lines so that cars were in the braking areas for longer.
The fight is still happening on this topic, although the rules are not expected to change significantly, for example, limiting electrical deployment in races, as some are pressing for the moment, as there is a blocker majority that prevents it.
Yes, this can open the field, but that often happens with new rules. But he will close again. It also offers the opportunity to stir the competitive order, which is often considered positive.