Formula 1’s 2026 regulations were designed to bring the sport closer to its long-promised “nimble car concept”, with smaller and lighter machinery intended to make the cars more challenging and exciting to drive.
While the changes have been relatively modest so far, FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis believes the new regulations have delivered meaningful improvements on the chassis side. And with the FIA already targeting cars that could be another 80kg lighter in the next rules cycle, this may only be the beginning.
Key Highlights
- 2026 F1 cars have a wheelbase that is 20cm shorter and are 10cm narrower than last season.
- The minimum weight has dropped to 768kg, a reduction of 32kg.
- The new regulations have helped cars follow each other more closely by reducing the impact of dirty air.
- The FIA wants future F1 cars to be another 80kg lighter, with the next major regulations expected in 2031 or potentially 2030.
F1 Finally Reverses the Weight Trend
When the 2026 Formula 1 regulations were introduced, the FIA repeatedly highlighted its vision of a more nimble car. The goal was to make the machinery smaller, lighter and more challenging to drive.
The changes may not be revolutionary, but they are noticeable. The wheelbase has been reduced by 20cm, while the cars are 10cm narrower than their predecessors. The minimum weight has also fallen to 768kg, which is 32kg lighter than last season.
Combined with significantly reduced downforce, the changes mean drivers once again have to wrestle with the steering wheel more, while the cars appear less glued to the track and less like they are simply running on rails.
Despite these objectives being achieved, however, the chassis changes have received relatively little attention during the first eight months of the season. Much of the conversation has instead been dominated by criticism of the power units and energy management.
Tombazis Sees Progress With the New Regulations
On the chassis side, however, Tombazis believes the latest rules represent a step in the right direction. "I think probably yes, although one should never assume that the job is finished. But I do think cars follow each other more closely," said Tombazis.
According to the FIA, the impact of dirty air has been reduced to a level similar to what was seen during the first year of the previous ruleset. More importantly, Tombazis believes the current regulations are more robust and that teams have so far been less successful at finding clever aerodynamic solutions that undermine the original concept.
The FIA Has Learned From Past Aerodynamic Loopholes
Tombazis pointed to several aerodynamic developments under the previous regulations that eventually compromised the intended racing characteristics.
"I believe we are similar to where we were at the start of the 2022 championship, but I think it's a bit more robust this year," he continued. "The various aerodynamic solutions they've had, we haven't found something that has broken the concept, whereas in the previous regulations there were a few things that actually did significantly compromise the concept.
"That mainly relates to the front wing endplates in the last generation car, the floor edges and all the furniture on the front wheel. All of those things made the wake characteristics significantly worse. We learned from that and I think hopefully there isn't any equivalent issue."
For F1 fans, that could prove particularly important. If teams are unable to exploit loopholes that dramatically worsen the wake behind their cars, closer racing could remain a stronger feature of the current generation.
The 2026 Cars Are Still No Easy Ride
Following other cars more closely is not the only area where Tombazis sees progress. He also believes it is positive that the new-generation cars remain difficult enough to challenge even the world's best drivers.
"They are still quite difficult cars to drive for the drivers, which I think is good, that they're not just cars that anybody can drive," he insisted.
"Some of the aerodynamic regulations push towards teams not being able to address every single aspect of a car through a corner, and therefore they do have some challenges. I think when we have the 22 best drivers in the world, we should also have cars that are not exactly easy for my grandma to drive."
That balance is important for the FIA. The cars may be slightly more manageable physically, but they should still demand skill, precision and commitment from the drivers behind the wheel.
Higher Ride Heights Ease the Physical Load
The 2026 cars are also slightly less physically demanding than their predecessors, particularly when compared with the previous generation of ground-effect machinery. Those cars often had to be run extremely low and stiff to maximise aerodynamic performance, creating a particularly punishing experience for drivers.
"We have also raised the ride heights a bit, which means that they're not quite as brutal as last year," Tombazis added.
The result is a package that is somewhat lighter and smaller while also being less punishing physically, without removing the challenge that comes with driving a modern F1 car at the limit.
FIA Wants F1 Cars to Be Another 80kg Lighter
Despite being satisfied with the progress made under the current regulations, Tombazis made it clear that the FIA does not consider the job finished. The current rules cycle limits how much further the cars can be reduced in size and weight. However, the FIA already has its sights set on the next major regulations, which are scheduled to arrive in 2031, or potentially 2030 if there is sufficient support.
"The cars are a bit lighter and a bit smaller, which the drivers have appreciated," Tombazis said. "Now, is that where I would like us to be? No. I would like us to be another 80 kilos lighter, and maybe still a bit shorter and a bit smaller in the future.
"That's the sort of target, that we do another big step from what was possible to do now. I think this is not a bad step, but it's not like I'm saying, 'Yes, job done, that's the target'. We want to go to another step of lightness in the future, and also the weight, a significant step."
If the FIA achieves that ambition, the next generation of F1 cars could represent a much more dramatic departure from the increasingly large and heavy machinery seen in recent years.
A New Direction for Formula 1
For now, Tombazis is pleased that Formula 1 has finally managed to reverse a trend that had lasted for decades.
"This is the first time I think Formula 1 cars have become lighter since probably the year 2000, I would say at least, or maybe earlier," he concluded.
The 2026 regulations may therefore be only the first step toward a lighter, smaller and more agile future for Formula 1. The FIA has already made its ambitions clear: the cars can get significantly lighter, and the next big step could be just as important as the one we have seen in 2026.
