Christian Horner denounces an unrealistic » minimum weight « for F1 in 2026
Red Bull's CEO criticizes the FIA's decision on the future weight of single-seaters, which he deems difficult to achieve. Other figures in the paddock recognize the challenge, while defending the objective.
Christian Horner did not mince words during the press conference held at the Miami International Autodrome. The Red Bull team boss was particularly critical of the reduction in the minimum weight imposed by the FIA starting from the 2026 Formula 1 season. A threshold he considers arbitrary and unrealistic.
« A number was pulled out of thin air for the weight of the car, » he declared to the journalists. « We have significantly heavier engines and a car weight that has been lowered. Therefore, it will be a huge challenge for all teams to achieve it. »
After a gradual increase since 2009, where the minimum weight was 605 kg, the limit had peaked at 800 kg. In 2026, the FIA anticipates a drastic drop with a weight set at 724 kg, to which the nominal weight of the tires will be added, defined after the winter tests according to the new Pirelli tires. These tires, like the cars, will be of reduced dimensions.
Reduce weight, but at what cost?
This reduction, intended to promote more agile single-seaters, is accompanied by new technical constraints. The FIA is notably considering replacing titanium with steel for the skid plates, following several incidents involving sparks that caused fires, in Suzuka and Shanghai.
For Horner, these trade-offs are costly: « Saving weight costs a colossal sum, » he explains. « There was a discussion last week about introducing steel skids—perhaps this would justify adding five kilos to the minimum weight. »
Despite the criticism, the Briton acknowledges a universal truth in motorsport: « That’s just the way it is, it’s the same for everyone. There will be choices to make to reach that weight, because weight is free lap time. Every 10 kilos is about 0.35 seconds. »
A shared but nuanced vision
At Mercedes, Toto Wolff shares the observation of difficulty but supports the approach initiated by the FIA. As Christian said, you make choices as a team. How much lap time do you attribute to weight and ballast? Where do you want to save? he details.
According to the Austrian director, this weight reduction is not only technical but also strategic: « You can compromise other performance elements if you want to reduce your weight, or the reverse. It’s a challenge. But the reason we do it is to make the cars more agile. Is it important? I think so. You have to start somewhere. This first step is difficult, but it’s the same for everyone. »
Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA’s single-seater director, himself stated in 2024 that this objective remained achievable. A viewpoint not fully shared by the teams, faced with the harsh reality of aerodynamic calculations, the capped budget, and upcoming new technical constraints.
