The FIA has officially released the long-awaited F1 2026 regulations, giving future F1 cars set parameters to operate under.
At the start of the 2026 season, the cars are due to undergo major changes with simultaneous changes to chassis and power unit regulations.
FIA officially announces F1 2026 regulations
Much has already been said about the push towards greater sustainability through new regulations, which will see power units set to triple the current amount of power generated from electrical energy, with power being split evenly between electricity and internal combustion engines.
Audi will complete its full takeover of the Sauber team by 2026, adding a new manufacturer to the grid, while Honda will become Aston Martin’s factory partner and start building its own power units in collaboration with Ford after its current collaboration with Red Bull ends.
When the cars arrive on the grid, there will be a total of six power unit manufacturers on the grid: Honda, Red Bull Ford Powertrain, Ferrari, Mercedes, Renault and Audi.
FIA single-seater director Nicholas Tombazis has revealed that the ‘Race Capability’ element introduced for 2022 will continue into 2026, with the aim of allowing drivers to race as close together as possible.
What do we already know about F1 2026’s cars and regulations?
👉 F1 2026: Confirmed teams and power unit suppliers for F1’s major rule changes
👉 Explained: 2026 engine regulations bring serious changes to F1
The key points are that the vehicle is lighter, shorter and narrower than before, and the minimum weight is now 30kg lighter, at 768kg.
On top of that, the size of the cars will be reduced, with the wheelbase now 200mm shorter than the current size (from 3600mm to 3400mm) and the width 100mm narrower (from 2000mm to 1900mm), with the FIA aiming to create more ‘agile’ cars in the future.
Active aerodynamics, which had also been mooted, will now become a reality: DRS will no longer be an overtaking aid, but instead will have more moving parts in the rear wing, with the movable rear wing automatically deploying in straight lines to reduce drag at every opportunity, the FIA confirmed.
Another new feature is the active front wing, which, like the DRS, has moving parts to suit the energy demands of the new power unit, which is run on fully sustainable fuel.
The car’s all-new “Manual Override Mode” allows drivers to utilize more power when pursuing other vehicles, improving overtaking confidence.
Safety has been considered throughout the process, with the FIA confirming that the 2026 F1 cars will undergo even more rigorous safety tests and have stronger structures.
FIA President Mohamed Ben Sulayem said: “Today the FIA is announcing comprehensive new regulations for the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship and beyond, defining an incredibly exciting future for the pinnacle of motorsport.”
“After the 2026 power unit regulations were announced two years ago, we had the opportunity to redefine the chassis regulations to match the energy requirements of the new power unit.
“Working with our partners in F1, and with the support of the sport’s 10 teams and all our stakeholders, this represents a unique revision that will ensure our premier championship is even more relevant to what’s happening in the world.”
“The Power Unit regulations have already seen a record number of PU manufacturers enter the sport, and now, alongside the chassis regulations which provide for lighter, more agile cars with innovative aerodynamic solutions, we have created a set of regulations which not only aim to improve racing but also to make the championship even more attractive for PU manufacturers, OEMs and existing competitors.”
“The key features of the 2026 F1 regulations are advanced, sustainable technology and safety. Our goal, and that of F1, was to create a car fit for the future of the sport’s elite category and we believe we have achieved that goal.”
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