The FIA has officially announced the 2026 F1 car rules. The new regulations were revealed in Montreal ahead of this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix. The 2026 regulations are now set to be ratified by the World Motor Sport Council on June 28.

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Back To The Drawing Board

The new F1 car rules will usurp the current regulations, which were adopted just a few years ago. The current rules were created to allow for closer racing between the cars and more competition among the teams. In this regard it has not delivered. The next set of rules will try to address these issues, again. The 2026 F1 car rules were developed in consultation with the FIA Formula 1 Technical Working Groups, and formulated in collaboration with Formula 1, the sport’s 10 teams, OEMs and power unit manufacturers.

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The FIA has outlined the objectives of the new rules. These are: 

  • ‘Nimble car’ concept at the heart of 2026 Technical Regulations targets improved raceability and closer racing
  • 2026 cars will be 30 kg lighter than current generation F1 cars improving efficiency and handling. 2026 cars will have a minimum weight of 768 kg
  • The wheelbase drops from a maximum of 3 600 mm to 3 400, while the width has been reduced from 2 000 to 1 900 mm. The maximum floor width will be reduced by 150 mm.
  • Redesigned power unit, the power derived from the internal combustion element drops from 550-560 kW to 400 kW, the battery element increases massively, from 120 kW to 350 kW – an almost 300% increase in electric power. 
  • Active aerodynamics to suit the energy management requirements of new power units. Downforce has been reduced by 30% and drag by 55%. The system, involves movable front and rear wings for higher cornering speeds and better straight performance
  • Increased overtaking opportunities through new manual override mode granting more electrical power deployment for the following car
  • Record number of six power unit manufacturers with Ferrari, Mercedes, Alpine, Honda, Audi and Red Bull Ford Powertrains committed to F1 from 2026
  • 2026 cars to run on 100% sustainable fuel
  • Improved safety through stronger structures and even tougher tests

In His Own Words

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali added: “These regulations mark a significant moment in the future of our sport as we look forward to a new generation of car and power unit that aims to give our fans closer and exciting racing. The new sustainably fueled hybrid power unit presents a huge opportunity for the global automotive industry, the drop in fuel has the potential to be used by cars around the world and dramatically cut emissions. Its potential is one of the key reasons why we will have a record number of engine suppliers in Formula 1 in 2026.”