McLaren‘s Andrea Stella and Williams‘ James Vowles have hailed changes to the 2026 Formula 1 regulations which offer “more freedom” and “more performance.”
The FIA unveiled its plans for the revised 2026 rule cycle ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix in June.
There were several factors at play with the new regulations, with a focus on making the cars shorter, narrower and lighter.
Moreover, in a bid to conserve energy amid the greater reliance on electrification in the revised hyrbid power units, the 2026 cars incorporated multiple aerodynamic revisions.
Movable aero devices on the front and rear wings will switch the car between high and low-drag modes between straights and corners, but there were several concerns that the overall lower downforce generated by the 2026 cars would make them far slower than the current iteration of F1 machines.
Initial calculations suggested the next-generation cars being scheduled to have 30% less downforce and 55% less drag.
This concerned Vowles, who said in Montreal that “Fundamentally, the performance difference to an F2 car could be as small as a few seconds.”
The FIA met the concerns of team bosses, and the Governing Body’s Single-Seater Director Nikolas Tombazis referred to changes made last month.
“There has been an increase of performance of the car by probably about 50 points of downforce,” he said (via Autosport).
“This has brought the performance from what maybe was minus 40% compared to current cars, to around minus 15% in terms of downforce.
“In terms of performance, the resulting lap time of the cars is very close to current cars. All that has been done as was promised in June.”
‘Really good work’ done on 2026 F1 regulations
Speaking on the changes ahead of the Sao Paulo GP, Vowles was happy that his original concerns with the 2026 F1 regulations were addressed.
“I think there was really good work done both by the FIA, but also the teams at the same time, in coming to a solution that I think is much better now,” the Williams Team Principal said.
“Where we’re in a situation, there’s more freedom to be able to explore those regulations.
“There’s more performance that comes with it at the same time.
“I think it’s a better balance of what we’ve achieved. And it’s really good.
“I mean, I’ve said it twice in that sentence, but it’s because it really was a good reflection as to how all the teams came together with the FIA to produce those regulations as one.
“That’s why it came together as quickly as it did.”
McLaren Team Principal Stella also aired his concerns along with Vowles in Montreal and he too was on hand to comment on the regulatory changes at Interlagos.
“I would like to completely express my agreement with James in terms of the good work, the good collaboration between the FIA and the teams, which is important to underline,” he said.
“I think in terms of cornering speed, now in simulation looks like much more convincing.
“That may still be offering good racing, may still be offering Formula 1 as the pinnacle of motorsport.
“So from this point of view, downforce level seems to be in a much better place. I think there’s still a few weeks of work.
“Hopefully, this will lead us to the target that will guarantee good racing and good overall speed like we all want to see for a Formula 1 car.”
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