On Thursday, Formula 1 unofficially unveiled its plans for the 2026 regulation changes. The key concepts had already been established, but now the sport has published the finer details.
F1 has been determined to make the cars lighter and smaller in an effort to improve racing. While the reductions won’t be particularly striking to the naked eye (30kg in weight and 10cm in width), the hope is that they will make a big difference.
Another headline is the move towards active aerodynamics. Drivers will be able to move their front and rear wings in order to reduce drag on the straights.
And tweaks to the floor will reduce the ‘ground effect’, something Red Bull have mastered since the last overhaul in 2022. The Milton Keynes outfit strolled to the title in the first year and then produced the most dominant season in the sport’s history in 2023.
On the power unit side, the sport will abandon the MGU-H but rely much more heavily on electrical power. The engines will also run with sustainable fuels as F1 tries to become carbon-neutral by 2030.
Damon Hill thinks 2026 F1 rules play into the hands of Adrian Newey
Writing on his Instagram story, 1996 world champion Damon Hill offered his immediate reaction to Thursday’s announcement. After reading details posted by the official Formula 1 account, he argued that the regulations suited legendary designer Adrian Newey.
Newey is one of the greatest engineering minds in the sport’s history, having won 25 combined titles over the course of his career. He’s been one of the biggest contributors to Red Bull’s recent dominance.
But crucially, he’ll be departing the team in February next year after handing in his resignation last month. And with no gardening leave to worry about, he can join a rival straight away should he desire.
“Open goal for Newey?” Hill wrote as he looked ahead to F1’s new era. It’s worth noting that the 65-year-old is yet to decide whether he wants to continue working or call time on his career.
Mercedes make last-ditch bid to pip Ferrari to Newey
Ferrari have been the favourites to sign Newey right from the outset. BBC pundit Marc Priestley even relayed talk in the Monaco paddock that the deal was done already, with Lewis Hamilton instrumental.
But there are no indications that rivals are giving up just yet. While McLaren have ruled out bringing Newey back, Mercedes initially gave him ‘the cold shoulder’ despite their recent struggles.
However, the Silver Arrows have reportedly mounted a big push to hijack Ferrari’s move. They’ve offered Newey shares in their £1.1bn team, but it’s unclear how much he values the financial package.
After all, Aston Martin owner Lance Stroll apparently put a £407k-a-week contract on the table, but even that wasn’t enough to persuade him. The Silverstone outfit have now turned their attention to Ferrari technical director Enrico Cardile in the hope that the prospect of Newey’s arrival unsettles him.
And finally, Williams are also ‘working tirelessly’ to lure him back after their hugely successful relationship in the 1990s. If they can capture a driver of the calibre of Carlos Sainz, then they will instantly become a more attractive prospect.
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