Motor racing’s governing physique is at the moment onerous at work setting up define chassis rules for the following guidelines period that can kick off in 2026.
In addition to a deliberate shift towards active aero to assist scale back drag on the straights, the FIA has provided some extra particulars about what else may very well be altering.
Talking in an unique interview with Autosport’s Italian language sister site it.Motorsport.com, the FIA’s head of single seaters Nikolas Tombazis has mentioned that the primary shift might be within the measurement of the automotive.
“With the size of the wheels, which might be narrower, plus with the rear wing and the automotive typically, we intention to scale back the load of the vehicles by round 50kg,” he mentioned.
“So, will probably be doable to see smaller single-seater vehicles: shorter and narrower. However we’re speaking about options that also should be mentioned.
“With the automotive on a weight loss plan, we can scale back the cornering speeds a bit. Being lighter, they may go quicker in a straight line, however will generate much less aerodynamic load. So, we might want to enhance the hybrid’s power restoration to make sure enough lap efficiency.”
The modifications deliberate for 2026 haven’t been with out controversy, as Crimson Bull earlier this 12 months warned of the potential for ‘Frankenstein cars’ that would be impossible to race one another.
There have been even considerations about drivers needing to vary down gear midway down straights to attempt to increase their hybrid techniques.
Robert Shwartzman, Ferrari SF-23, Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo C43, Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL60, within the pit lane
Picture by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Tombazis is evident, nevertheless, that the FIA has put numerous effort into making certain that what’s coming for 2026 works from the racing perspective.
“A variety of work has been executed to know how power restoration and administration should be executed, and the way overtaking may be executed primarily based on the aerodynamic configuration,” he mentioned.
“Now we have carried out many simulations by altering these parameters and we now have discovered options that appear to work adequately.”
Tombazis means that a number of the unique considerations voiced in regards to the efficiency of the 2026 vehicles weren’t primarily based on up-to-date simulation fashions.
“If one took the 2026 energy items and mounted them on the present vehicles, in all probability the outcome could be the state of affairs put ahead by those that had been nervous,” he mentioned.
“However in latest months, we now have collected a sequence of very Positive developments, so the feedback categorical {old} positions.
“We additionally must take into consideration that the engine and chassis should evolve collectively, and it’ll not be doable to consider one with out the opposite.”