The Future of Formula One - First Look at The 2026 F1 Regulations

The new 2026 F1 Regulations have been revealed by the FIA and with smaller, lighter cars, and active aerodynamics, is F1 looking to the past for new solutions to create better racing? Plus with new power unit changes, a Manual Override Mode and increased protection for the drivers, there is a lot to discuss. Bryn Lucas is joined by Jon Noble to take a first look at these new regulations and the FIA concept car, dive a little deeper on some specifics and ask will this deliver the closer racing and more competitive F1 everyone is hoping for?

0:00 Intro
0;27 Headline changes
2:18 More nimble and smaller cars
4:22 Power units and concerns
7:42 Active Aerodynamics
9:25 Manual Override Mode
10:34 Improved safety
11:33 Is the sport optimistic that these changes will work?
14:30 Jon's thoughts on the changes

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[thearrogantcorndog]

Switching from DRS trains to MOM trains 😳

[vasekkosar]

I feel like what people don't realize is that they can't make the cars 400 kg, and half as big in one or two regs changes... It will take years for it to change...

[RdyMixFlapjacks]

I don't understand the hard push on batteries and electric power for F1

[iFumoffu]

Make the car smaller and simpler and lighter, oh wait that’s f2 f3

[Noahsboas]

To call them "more nimble" when they are 100mm less wide, 200mm shorter, and only 30kg lighter is absolutely hilarious.

[aaronmatthis]

500 hp from an F1 engine is pathetic. The current engine aren’t wonderful but a 50/50 split in fuel and electronic power is sad. All this “nimbler”talk but they have a hard on for leaving a 50kg battery in the damn things.

[Jackbyrne]

30kg lighter from what they are. That’s not light!! That’s still 170kg heavier than what they were 20 years ago.

[samsalasky]

So it is going to be all about battery management. Without the electric motor providing acceleration out of corners the car becomes a sitting duck. This isn't racing, but generator manager simulator

[kidibra]

In my opinion, Formula One should remain a combustion-engine-only motorsport. If someone wants to watch battery-powered car racing, they can turn to Formula E. I believe the FIA should focus on finding a more environmentally friendly alternative fuel for F1, similar to what Porsche is doing. I think many fans miss the days of small, powerful cars fueled solely by combustion engines.

[vojislavjankovic-qi]

They should ditch the hybrid system, there's really no need for them if they use biofuel

[Oblivionmusic]

Active aero and push to pass to replace DRS… that’s a shift

[giingeee]

Still refusing to return to refueling is a massive L. Would half the car size and help with split strats. Indycar is so much better for it.

[xxMrVashxx]

This hybrid ruling is a step towards developing e-fuel tech and saving combustion engines, we should be happy🤌

[Milkydrummer]

They need to be 150kg’s lighter. And smaller.

[LVQ-soth]

I dislike gimmicks like push-to-pass. If they're going to do this then there should be a limited number of uses, both for offense and defense.

[roberthoward]

Not saying it is a bad thing but it looks like a Formula 2 car.

[zeus-mtwx]

It’s the same old same old crap every time the New and Improved regulations, they will make for, More Passing Much closer racing, the power plants 500 bhp more Duracell batteries 1000 % more power and 2000% longer.
The cars will be significantly lighter by 3 lbs.
Same old Same old crap.

[Joeyyippe]

We're back with the "square" rear wing, although for me it looks cool

[CBadger]

Codemasters already sweating as they'll actually have to do some work in 2025...

[_GuestFive]

They aren’t much smaller or lighter... I wonder how much of a difference it will actually make? Hopefully renewable fuels can get to a place so we can get rid of the need for the electrical side of the PU’s. Saying that I’m far more for a “push to pass” system than the DRS trains we get. Overall its pretty disappointing