2026 Regulations: F1 Commission examines the challenges ahead

Meeting yesterday, the F1 Commission reviewed the regulations planned for 2026. The discussions focused, among other things, on harmonizing performance between engine manufacturers and the energy specifications of future power units, a point that is causing disagreements. Safety was also addressed, particularly concerning the risks of grass fires similar to those observed at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Learn from 2014 to maintain balance

Among the main topics discussed was the implementation of mechanisms to help struggling engine manufacturers catch up. In 2014, Mercedes had created a significant gap, leaving Honda, for example, struggling for several seasons to return to the same level. With the introduction of a budget cap for engine programs in 2026, there is growing concern that those lagging behind may be deprived of the means to recover.

The options mentioned include granting additional bench test hours and extra budgetary allowance for struggling engine manufacturers. The FIA specified in a statement that the Commission had discussed adjustments to the energy management strategy for 2026, as well as measures to address financial issues faced by some engine manufacturers in cases of insufficient performance or reliability.

These measures would only apply to the performance of power units, and not to that of the teams as a whole. Although an agreement in principle has been reached, the details still need to be refined by the dedicated working group.

Debates on the Energy Balance of F1 Engines 2026

Another sensitive point concerns the management of electrical energy planned for 2026. The future engines are initially supposed to distribute power equally between thermal and electric (50-50), compared to about 20% for electric today. However, a proposal to limit the electric power during the race from 350 kW to 200 kW has sparked disagreements among engine manufacturers. This would shift the balance to 60-40 in favor of the combustion engine, with the aim of preventing the cars from being forced to slow down significantly on the straights due to lack of energy.

Toto Wolff, director of Mercedes F1, is firmly opposed to any last-minute changes to the 2026 power unit regulations, calling the proposal a “joke” and considering it premature to alter the rules before they even come into effect. In contrast, Christian Horner, whose Red Bull team had previously requested a similar measure, has shown support for this idea.

Horner, who suspects Mercedes of having a head start on their car for next year, has denied being the instigator this time: « It’s something we asked to look into two years ago, but it’s absolutely not us who pushed for it to be on the agenda this week. The FIA has conducted its own research, and I think it wants to avoid at all costs having too many phases of deceleration and coasting during races, which would not be great for the sport nor enjoyable for the drivers. », he stated to the media in Saudi Arabia last week.

Ferrari and McLaren have taken a more nuanced position. Fred Vasseur, head of the Scuderia, advocated a more flexible approach: “We need to be open about this and avoid starting to fight under the pretext that we have an advantage on the battery or other. That would be the worst scenario for F1. It is true that we are at a turning point in regulation. If we look at the last 25 or 30 years, we have never experienced such a significant change in the rules.”

Andrea Stella from McLaren also expressed his vision: « My opinion is very clear. The principle I want to strongly affirm is that it is the responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure that the 2026 regulations are a success, because it is pointless for teams to fight among themselves if we don’t have a quality sport. »

An intermediate solution would be to apply the energy deployment modifications exclusively on tracks with significant straight portions, such as Baku.

Solutions for Lawn Incidents

The Commission also addressed the grass fires that disrupted the Japanese GP. The sparks from the titanium skid plates under the F1 cars had ignited the grass on the track edges, causing several interruptions.

The FIA indicated that it was agreed to study both an alternative skid material (steel) and a potential treatment on certain circuits. Replacing titanium with stainless steel on circuits with grass run-offs could have implications on the weight of the cars and the wear of the skids, which remains to be discussed.

Other points under study

The Commission also discussed the introduction of mandatory two-stop strategies for Monaco, as well as an adjustment of capital expenditures for new entrants, in anticipation of Cadillac’s arrival next year.

The FIA statement also mentions updates to the Parc Fermé allocations regarding the situation where a driver chooses not to wear the cooling vest and the addition of a regulatory mechanism to manage the situation of freight delays during overseas events, as several teams experienced during the recent Chinese Grand Prix.

If no decision has been made on the most sensitive issues, the meeting has provided a framework for further discussions. The working groups will continue their exchanges in the coming months, with the aim of finalizing the regulation before 2026.