On Thursday, the FIA introduced new rules for F1 in 2026. These rules focus more on electric power for the cars. They want to make the cars faster by making some changes to the chassis. They are adding active aerodynamics and making the cars slightly smaller and lighter.
In 2026, the cars will have a shorter wheelbase, which is the distance between the front and rear wheels. They will also be a bit narrower. They reduced the downforce, which pushes the car onto the track, by 30%, and the drag, which slows the car down, by 55%. This is to help with slower speeds and to make it easier for cars to race close together.
However, not everyone is sure about these changes. Fernando Alonso, who drives for Aston Martin, thinks reducing the car’s weight by 30kg will be hard. He said, “I think it is impossible probably to achieve 30 kilos already.” He explained that with the new electric power units, the cars might actually get heavier by 20 or 30 kilos. So, asking teams to make cars 30kg lighter could be really tough.
Alex Albon, a driver for Williams, is worried about how slow the new cars might be. He said, “Let’s see. I don’t want to speak out of turn, but it’s going to be very slow, extremely slow.” He thinks the new rules might make the cars too slow, especially on the straights. He also thinks making the cars lighter might not be easy, and it could make things more complicated.
These changes are part of F1’s effort to make racing more exciting and environmentally friendly. But with such big changes, there are always challenges to overcome. Teams will have to work hard to make sure the cars are both fast and safe.
