Six busy engineers
The FIA presented today, with a video published on all its social channels, the long-awaited technical regulations that will define the sport starting from 2026. This is a historic revolution, which obviously all teams will try to exploit to their advantage. The 2026 championship will also score the entry into the Circus of the Audi brand, who waited for the change in the technical regulations to make his debut in the category. The federation, in the documents released explaining the new regulations, underlined precisely the record number of builders, with six manufacturers involved in various capacities: Ferrari, Mercedes, Alpine, Honda, Audi and Red Bull-Ford Powertrains.
Cars lighter than 30 kg
One of the fundamental concepts explained in the salient points of the new technical regulations will be that of ‘agile cars’. Through this evolution of F1 single-seaters the aim is to improve driveability and make races more competitive. The 2026 cars will be lighter than 30 kg compared to the current generation, improving efficiency and handling. Weight reduction was a key objective and the 2026 cars will have a minimum weight of 768kg. This will be made up of 722 kg of mass of the car and driver + 46 kg of estimated mass of the tyres. Downforce has been reduced by 30% and aerodynamic drag by 55%.
The powertrain – completely redesigned and around which the new aerodynamics were developed – is based on engines that will be the most efficient in the world, with almost 300% more battery power and a uniform distribution between internal combustion and electrical energy. The introduction of active aerodynamics will serve to meet the energy management requirements of the new power units.
Manual Override Mode is born
Furthermore, greater overtaking opportunities should be guaranteed by the new Manual Override Mode which will allow a greater use of electricity for the car following. It is, in a certain sense, a sort of DRS in electric sauce: while the power of the car in front is reduced after 290 km/h and drops to zero at 355 km/h, the car following benefits from the MGUK mode Override, which provides 350 kW up to 337 km/h and +0.5 MJ of additional energy.
The concept of ‘agile cars’
The 2026 cars – which will be powered by 100% sustainable fuel – will also see their dimensions change compared to the 2022 regulation change. The step – following the aforementioned concept of ‘agile car’ – it will drop from a maximum of 3600 mm to 3400 mmWhile the width has been reduced from 2000 mm to 1900 mm. The maximum width of the bottom will also be reduced by 150 mm. The 18-inch wheels, introduced in 2022, have been retained, though the width of the front tires has been reduced by 25 mm And that of the rear ones of 30 mmbut with minimal loss of adhesion.
#Official #regulations #presented
