Formula 1 is heading toward its biggest technical overhaul in years, with sweeping changes to both chassis and engine regulations in 2026. While teams and drivers are preparing for the new era, early simulator runs have fueled concerns about how the sport will look and feel. The FIA, however, maintains that the rules are still evolving and insists its priority is avoiding the “unnatural things” that risk turning racing into a management exercise instead of a spectacle.
Key Highlights
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Formula 1 will undergo major regulation changes in 2026, covering chassis and power units
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Drivers including Verstappen, Leclerc, Albon, and Stroll raised concerns after simulator tests
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FIA director Nikolas Tombazis insists the rules are still evolving and being adjusted
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Engine hardware specifications are set in stone, but energy management rules remain flexible
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The FIA is determined to prevent “unnatural” on-track situations such as lifting on straights due to energy limits
Drivers Raise Early Concerns
The first alarm bells came when Max Verstappen voiced skepticism about the 2026 car model two years ago. More recently, Charles Leclerc, Alex Albon, and Lance Stroll added their concerns after testing in simulators. Their primary worry is that racing will shift away from natural wheel-to-wheel battles and become dominated by energy-saving tactics. This vision paints Formula 1 as less about pure speed and more about calculating how to survive the lap with limited hybrid power. Drivers fear fans will be left frustrated by the spectacle.
FIA Acknowledges Energy Management Challenges
Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA’s single-seater director, has admitted there are challenges with the balance between electric power and internal combustion engines under the 2026 framework.
“Obviously when you have a much bigger proportion of electrical power and a smaller proportion of ICE power, and you don’t have batteries that are discharging over the entire race distance, then energy management becomes a bit more of a challenge.” – Nikolas Tombazis
According to Tombazis, one of the opportunities of the new cars is for manufacturers to innovate with batteries and electrical systems. However, he accepts that the shift requires fine-tuning of deployment rules to ensure performance feels natural on track. The FIA is using simulator feedback to adjust the rules before they are finalized.
Rules Still Evolving, But No Engine Formula Change
While the governing body is open to refining the regulations, Tombazis emphasized that the core power unit formula will not change. Engine specifications, including the electrical component, are locked in place. The window for hardware changes has long passed, and any attempt to reopen that debate would create political battles between manufacturers.
“At the moment, the technical specification of the engines, the electrical part, and all of that is set in stone. That’s not changing.” – Nikolas Tombazis
Instead, the FIA is working on parameters like energy recovery, deployment, and power reduction rules. One focus is adjusting the “turn-down ramp rate” and energy harvesting limits to suit different tracks. This flexible approach is designed to address feedback without destabilizing the competitive balance.
Preventing “Unnatural Things” on Track
The most pressing aim for the FIA is avoiding scenarios that feel artificial to both drivers and fans. That means preventing cars from running out of electric energy mid-lap or forcing drivers to downshift on straights just to recharge. Tombazis insisted such outcomes will not be allowed.
“We absolutely, categorically, make sure that they don’t have to lift off in a particular area in order to do something with the energy or whatever. When they need to go faster, drivers will keep the pedal to the metal, as they say.” – Nikolas Tombazis
This reassurance is critical, as Verstappen’s earlier concerns painted a bleak picture of cars slowing unnaturally on straights. For Tombazis, the focus is ensuring the racing remains authentic and the new rules enhance rather than hinder the spectacle.
Manufacturers’ Mixed Transparency
One complication in refining the 2026 rules is that not all manufacturers are equally open with their development data. Some teams share details freely, offering proposals and ideas to the FIA. Others remain secretive, fearing that any intervention could compromise their advantage.
“Not all teams and PU manufacturers are as transparent with us in their data. Some are very secretive about what they’re doing, while some others are very open and very helpful in proposing things.” – Nikolas Tombazis
Despite these challenges, the FIA continues to collect driver feedback and integrate lessons from simulator sessions. Tombazis stressed that the very purpose of early testing is to identify problems before cars hit the track, and that evolution of the rules is expected throughout 2025.
News in Brief: 2026 F1 Rulebook Under Review
Formula 1’s 2026 regulation overhaul has sparked concerns among drivers including Verstappen, Leclerc, Albon, and Stroll, who fear racing will become overly complex and dependent on energy management. FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis admits challenges exist with balancing electric and combustion power but insists the rules remain a work in progress. While engine hardware is locked in, deployment and recovery parameters will evolve to avoid “unnatural things” like lifting on straights. Manufacturers remain divided in transparency, but fine-tuning continues.
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