FIA unveils latest 2026 F1 car design

• New rules will go into impact for System 1 race automobiles in 2026
• Subsequent-gen F1 race automobiles can have much less downforce, extra electrical energy, and a Guide Override mode for overtaking
• F1 automobiles will change into smaller and lighter, run on artificial gas, and nonetheless go 220 mph with quicker cornering

System 1 is about to enter a brand new period in 2026 and the FIA, which sanctions the game, on Thursday supplied a have a look at the most recent design idea that may affect the form of the race automobiles.

The important thing purpose for the designers was to boost sustainability within the sport, however conventional concerns, resembling enhancing the competitors and security, haven’t been ignored.

New F1 automobiles: Extra energy, extra electrification

Within the space of energy models, 100% sustainable gas, presumably even a artificial e-fuel, will probably be launched. The ability models themselves will keep on with the present turbocharged 1.6-liter V-6 hybrid format, however will probably be made less complicated because of the elimination of the MGU-H, the electrical motor-generator that recovers exhaust power by way of the turbocharger.

The MGU-Ok unit, which helps drive the wheels and recovers power below braking, will stay and deploy extra energy. The principles name for a rise in electrical energy to 469 hp from the present 160 hp. Peak output of the system will nonetheless be greater than 1,000 hp, although general gas utilization throughout a race ought to drop from about 220 kilos at the moment to 154 kilos in 2026.

One different huge change is what the FIA calls a Guide Override mode. This can present drivers with an on-demand burst {of electrical} power they will use when they’re near a automobile in entrance to assist with overtaking. For a number one automobile, the power will taper off after a velocity of 180 mph, reaching zero at 220 mph.

The brand new energy unit design has already managed to draw a file variety of suppliers. Whereas Renault will not provide an influence unit from 2026, different present suppliers Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz AMG, and Crimson Bull Racing, which is at the moment utilizing a Honda design, will all have new designs. As well as, Audi will enter the game in 2026, each as an influence unit provider and constructor. Honda can be set to return as an influence unit provider, working with Aston Martin, whereas Crimson Bull will work with Ford by itself new energy unit.

Lighter, nimbler automobiles

A facet that may attraction to followers is a smaller automobile. The wheelbase will drop from a most of three,600 mm (141.7 inches) to three,400 mm (133.6 inches), whereas the width will shrink from 2,000 mm (78.7 inches) to 1,900 mm (74.8 inches). The utmost ground width may even be lowered by 150 mm (5.9 inches). This, the designers say, will end in nimbler automobiles, and must also assist with overtaking, particularly on slender tracks.

The wheels, nonetheless 18 inches in diameter, may even change into narrower, down 25 mm (0.98 inch) on the entrance and 30 mm (1.18 inches) on the rear, although with solely a minimal loss in grip, the FIA stated.

The smaller measurement of the automobile will end in much less weight. The 2026 automobiles can have a minimal weight of 1,693 kilos, down 66 kilos from the present minimal. The minimal weight determine contains the burden of the driving force.

New lively aerodynamics

The design guidelines may even shake up the aerodynamics. The automobiles will characteristic new lively aerodynamic techniques consisting of movable entrance and rear wings, which the FIA stated will end in better cornering speeds. For the straights, as a substitute of the present Drag Discount System that may solely be deployed in sure sections of the monitor, the drivers in 2026 will have the ability to swap to a low-drag configuration referred to as X-Mode anytime they hit a straight.

The entrance wing, now narrower, will characteristic a two-element lively flap, whereas the rear wing can have a three-element system. The rear wing may even lose the present decrease beam wing, and the top plate designs will probably be simplified. The present entrance wheel arches will probably be eliminated, and new boards on the entrance of the facet pods will assist with the management of wheel wake, the FIA stated.

The automobiles may even have {a partially} flat ground and a much less efficient diffuser, which can cut back the bottom impact.

The FIA stated the modifications will end in 30% much less downforce and 55% much less drag in comparison with the present automobiles.

Improved security

Lastly, security will get an additional increase from the already stringent ranges. This can primarily be achieved by way of stronger constructions and harder testing procedures. Key measures will embody the introduction of a two-stage crash construction up entrance as a substitute of the single-stage design at the moment used to guard the passenger cell from secondary frontal impacts. Roll hoop hundreds may even be elevated in step with different single-seat racing classes, and new rear wing endplate lights will probably be required.

The reveal of the most recent design idea comes a day after the World Motor Sport Council’s remaining assembly for 2024, which befell in Kigali, Rwanda. The World Motor Sport Council is the physique inside the FIA that decides on guidelines, rules, security for all collection sanctioned by the FIA.

On the assembly, the most recent design idea was permitted forward of groups having the ability to work on their 2026 automobile aerodynamics for the primary time beginning on Jan. 1, 2025.

It was additionally agreed upon {that a} new part of rules will probably be created for 2026 and past, referred to as Operational Laws. These will purpose to control sure F1 group actions that happen away from the race weekend, resembling limitations to aerodynamic testing, energy unit testing, and necessary shutdown durations. Many of those actions at the moment comply with guidelines outlined below the Sporting Laws.