Ben Sulayem: “We want lighter cars.”
The president of the FIA Mohammed Ben Sulayem explained that he wants to reduce the weight of the single-seaters, as the new rules regarding the engines that will arrive in 2026 are feared to further increase the weight of the cars.
722 kilograms 6 years ago, 798 currently. It has been two seasons now that the paddock has been dealing with the heaviest Formula 1 cars in history. A situation that is not pleasing, especially considering that the new regulations planned for 2026 could further increase these figures, with the new engines which will most likely add weight to the cars.
It is important to keep in mind that less than 30 years ago, drivers were driving cars weighing less than 600 kilograms, but technical improvements, such as hybrid engines or even the recently introduced halo, have added weight.
The president of the International Automobile Federation expressed his opinion on the matter on Motorsport-Total and assured that they were looking for solutions to reduce the weight of single-seaters. « This has always bothered me. Lighter cars are better, and I know what I’m talking about. If the car is heavier, the suspension is affected, the brakes don’t work as well, the tires wear out faster. And in the event of an accident, more weight is more dangerous », said Mohammed Ben Sulayem, recalling his own experience as a successful rally driver in the Middle East.
« We need a lighter car, everyone wants it »
One point on which the actors agree. « We make these cars increasingly safer, but at the same time, with the increase in weight, accidents would become more and more dangerous », explains George Russell, the Mercedes driver.
« One of the major problems for 2026 is the weight,” adds Red Bull boss Christian Horner, “« we are expecting an additional 30 kilograms for cooling, and this, for cars that already reach the weight of sports cars.
On the authorities’ side, they reassure that weight reduction is a priority. « I have already spoken to my team at the FIA. We want lighter cars and we want better sound. » We need a lighter car, everyone wants it, (b) admits Ben Sulayem, even though he acknowledges that « it will be difficult to achieve.
The president of F1, Stefano Domenicali, assured that the issue was on the agenda, as the current weight is not, according to him, in line with the essence of Formula 1.
