Valtteri Bottas is generally happy after the FIA published the overhauled rules for 2026 but has concerns about performance.
On the eve of the Canadian Grand Prix, the FIA released the long-awaited F1 2026 rules. Big changes are on the way as the FIA works on the “Agile Car” concept.
Valtteri Bottas questions ‘overall performance and downforce’
Cars from 2026 will be 30kg lighter, shorter, narrower and feature active aerodynamics, as well as other changes including an all-new ‘manual override mode’ replacing DRS as an overtaking aid.
F1 2026 is also set to introduce a new power unit that’s equal split between electric power and an internal combustion engine running on fully sustainable fuel.
Bottas is positive about the overhaul but is wary of “overall performance and downforce”, having heard grip levels will be significantly reduced compared to current rivals.
“New regulatory times are always exciting and bring opportunities for different teams. It’s good to see change,” he said.
“It’s good that the car is a little smaller. Of course, it’s a small step, but I think it’s in the right direction. The same with the weight. It’s good.”
“I haven’t tried the new power unit setting in the simulator yet so I can’t say much about it, but if it gives us more total power in terms of race strategy and gives us a bit more freedom in using energy then I think that’s a good thing. So for now I don’t see any red flags.”
“The only thing I’m worried about is the overall performance and the level of downforce. I’ve heard rumours that there will be a lot less overall grip, but I don’t know how much it will be. I guess that’s something we’ll have to figure out.”
F1 2026 rules details
👉 Five key takeaways from the FIA’s major rules overhaul for 2026
👉 F1 2026 rules: FIA announces groundbreaking DRS and ERS tweaks for new car designs
Speaking at the F1 2026 rules launch, FIA single-seater technical director Yann Monchaux acknowledged that these challengers would have “less downforce”, and explained plans to create a closer field and more overtaking action.
He said: “About a year ago, so just under a year ago, the decision was made to go for what we call an agile car – a slightly smaller car, less downforce but with a focus on reducing drag.”
“Rear wing DRS by itself is no longer used to allow or facilitate overtaking.
“All cars will have it by default on all straights because it reduces the drag levels on the straights, not only because it gives us a big advantage in terms of energy consumption, but also because the higher top speed means we can recover more energy when braking for another straight.”
“Overtaking remains a very important parameter for F1 and for any future new regulations. This will be tackled in two ways.”
“Firstly, the car will continue with an aero concept that reduces the losses created by the car that negatively impact the car behind, because to overtake you need to get closer to the car in front.”
“And if you get a lot of dirty air in the corner that makes the car unstable and you can’t follow the car because you have to move away from it, then the minute you enter the straight you have to make up all that loss.
“So being able to follow other cars comfortably when cornering is very important to us, and to achieve that we need to ensure that from the aero concept the amount of dirty air that is produced doesn’t have too much of an effect on the car behind. That’s the number one thing.”
“On entering the straight, to facilitate overtaking, the rear and front wing flaps on both cars are open, allowing the following car to deploy more ERS for a certain period of the lap.”
“So with the current DRS, within one second of being behind the car, a box gets ticked and you’re allowed to open DRS in a straight line.
“That doesn’t happen anymore. [but] The logic will be the same.
“Being close enough to the other cars gives you an extra lap of energy to use however you want.
“It defines an amount of extra energy that creates an energy boost and ultimately gives the following car an opportunity to overtake by the end of the straight.”
But Bottas is not currently concerned about the competitiveness of the grid, insisting that making some tracks more overtaking-friendly remains an issue that needs to be “focused on”.
“I mean, I think the field is very close,” he said. “I think the race will be interesting, so I don’t think it’s an issue.”
“I think overtaking is very difficult at some tracks and it still requires a lot of concentration, but I think there could be a bit more action, at least from what I’ve seen.”
Read next: F1 2026 regulations officially announced, with futuristic new cars revealed
