The future of F1 is here - The 2026 FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations will be setting a new blueprint, more competitive, safer and more sustainable.The FIA...
The wheel base is reduced by 5.5%, and the width is reduced by 5%. I couldn’t find info on the actual maximum length changes, but according to these two sources:
Modern cars can be up to 5.6m length. Apparently this is not going to change much, so I wouldn’t put weight into words “shorter” and “thinner”. Yes, new cars are shorter and thinner. But is 5% enough?
Probably not enough, but a step in the right direction. I imagine this is the best they could do that also fit with all their plans for the new engines.
I doubt passing will improve. The cars need to trim in size, not weight
Nonsense. Many F1 drivers have complained about the size AND weight of these cars.
Only a 30kg reduction in 2026 is dissapointing. But due to technology and safety a larger reduction is a very hard/expensive gain.
The cars are sightly shorter and thinner
The wheel base is reduced by 5.5%, and the width is reduced by 5%. I couldn’t find info on the actual maximum length changes, but according to these two sources:
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/why-formula-1-cars-have-grown-so-big/
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/f1s-smaller-nimbler-raceable-2026-rules-announced-full-explainer/
Modern cars can be up to 5.6m length. Apparently this is not going to change much, so I wouldn’t put weight into words “shorter” and “thinner”. Yes, new cars are shorter and thinner. But is 5% enough?
I hope other measures will be more fruitful.
Probably not enough, but a step in the right direction. I imagine this is the best they could do that also fit with all their plans for the new engines.