As Formula 1 gets ready for new engine and chassis rules in 2026, some teams are worried about unintended problems these rules might cause.
Teams are concerned about things like drivers having to change gears on straight roads to charge batteries and cars spinning out easily with certain systems on, even though these tests were meant to show what wouldn’t work.
Last year, Horner warned that the new chassis rules might make cars like “Frankenstein cars,” not as good as they should be because they’re trying to cover up for energy shortages caused by the new engines.
But now, as the deadline approaches to finalize the chassis rules by the end of June, Horner thinks F1 and the FIA are in a better place to make the right decisions.
He said, “It’s a massive change for 2026, and it’s a bit unusual to change both chassis and engine at the same time. There are unknowns, but the FIA has been doing a lot of work. They’ve been talking with the teams. We’ve been speaking up about issues for a year or two, and they’ve listened. So, there’s been progress.”
McLaren’s team boss, Andrea Stella, thinks it’s really important for F1 to make sure these new rules don’t cause unintended problems that could hurt the sport.
“We’re happy with how much teams and the FIA are working together,” he said. “When you’re making new rules, it’s normal to have ideas and test things out. So far, we’re happy. We want to get the rules right so we don’t have problems like we did with these cars.”
The first version of the 2026 rules should be ready by June, but they might change as teams look at them more closely.
Stella said, “There’s still time to finalize the rules, and there will probably be more clarifications later. But it’s important to agree on them soon because time can go by fast.”
