New F1 Car Concept For 2026 Revealed

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has revealed the next generations of Formula 1 (F1) cars that will race in the 2026 season and onwards. A few key highlights of the new regulations include smaller dimensions, lighter weight, active aerodynamics and the use of sustainable fuel.

The new regulations state that the upcoming F1 cars will have smaller dimensions, with the wheelbase now reduced by 200 mm. The new F1 cars will now have a wheelbase of 3400 mm (down from 3600 mm), and a width of 1900 mm (down from 2000 mm), and the floor width has been reduced by 150 mm.

The FIA also says that “weight reduction has been a key goal” and the new cars will be 30 kg lighter than the current cars. A minimum of 768 kg has been set, while the older cars had a minimum weight of 798 kg. The 768 kg weight limit includes 722 kg for the car and driver along with 46 kg for the tyres.

While the 18-inch wheels from the 2022 regulations have been retained, the front and rear tyres’ widths have been reduced by 25 mm and 30 mm, respectively. The FIA says that despite this reduction, there should be minimal loss of grip.

The new regulations also state that the new cars will have a new active aerodynamics system that involves movable front and rear wings. The FIA says this system ensures greater cornering speeds with the standard Z-mode and on the straights a low-drag configuration allows drivers to maximise straight-line speed.

The new cars get a three-element rear wing with simplified end plates and no rear beam wing. At the front, the wing is now 100 mm narrower than before and will get a two-element active flap. Compared to the current cars, the front wheel arches will be removed and new in-washing wheel wake control boards will replace the side pods. To reduce the dependency on ground effect as well as ultra-stiff and low ride-height setups, a new partially flat floor and lower-powered diffuser will be employed.

To make the cars safer, the front impact regulations have been introduced with a new two-stage structure to mitigate the risk of detachment. Side intrusion protection has also been increased without adding weight. Furthermore, roll hoop loads have been increased from 16 G to 20 G and new lateral safety lights will also be added to show the Energy Recovery System (ERS) status of a stopped car on the track.

FIA already released the new power unit regulations in 2022 but to recap, the new engines will be hybrids and will use 100 per cent sustainable fuel. The internal combustion engine will still be a 1.6-litre turbocharged unit but will now produce 400 kW (536 bhp) instead of 550 - 560 kW (738 - 751 bhp). However, the battery element will now produce 350 kW (469 bhp) instead of 120 kW (161 bhp). FIA says that the performance has been maintained, while sustainability has also increased.

The new Manual Override mode, along with the active aerodynamics system, has replaced the Drag Reduction System (DRS). The Manual Override mode allows for “improved overtaking opportunities” and gives drivers an on-demand boost of battery power when they’re close enough to the car in front.

F1 currently has Mercedes, Ferrari and Alpine as engine manufacturers but new regulations have attracted Honda, Audi and Red Bull Ford as suppliers as well.

The new regulations are subject to formal approval by the World Motor Sport Council, which is scheduled for June 28.