The new Formula 1 regulations being introduced in 2026 are unsurprisingly one of the biggest talking points in the paddock right now.
Teams have just 18 months from this point to perfect their cars although at this stage they’re only allowed to work on their power units.
The FIA provided more details about the upcoming changes at the beginning of June which has created an awful lot of reaction.
Unsurprisingly, the drivers have been at the front of the discussion given they’ll be the people racing the cars themselves.
Max Verstappen has dominated the current era of Formula 1 with Red Bull and is probably the last person who wants to see the status quo disrupted.
Former F1 driver and Sky Sports pundit Karun Chandhok has taken to social media to agree with one statement the Dutchman has made recently on the subject.
It’s something many of his colleagues likely agree with as well, but it’s hard to see the change he’s requesting being realistic.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know from engines and aerodynamics about F1’s 2026 regulations
Karun Chandhok agrees with Max Verstappen on proposed 2026 F1 rule change
One of the biggest talking points about the new cars is the change in the minimum weight of the cars.
The current ruleset says that every car on the grid must weigh a minimum of 796kg, with drivers expected to weigh a minimum of 80kg.
For small drivers, such as Yuki Tsunoda, ballast is added to the car to reach that number otherwise it would unfairly penalise the likes of Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Ocon who are much taller.
While that 80kg number isn’t going to change in 2026, the FIA has reduced the minimum weight of the cars by 30kg.
With the new hybrid power units expected to be even heavier, it’s going to be a real challenge to reach that weight.
Particularly as the likes of Alpine and Williams started this season overweight despite having years of experience working within these regulations.
However, Chandhok has agreed with Verstappen that the new ruleset doesn’t go far enough.
F1 cars have been getting bigger and wider for some time, making overtaking on tracks like Monaco virtually impossible.
Verstappen would like to see a much bigger reduction in the weight of the new cars but admits that it’s very unlikely to be possible given all the other stipulations in the regulations.
Max Verstappen and Karun Chandhok want the minimum weight of F1 cars reduced
Verstappen, talking to the media at the Canadian Grand Prix, via Motorsport.com, said: “You need at least 100-150kg.
“At the moment with how everything is, for sure it’s not possible. But that is also to do with the engine, right? Engine and battery related… it’s very heavy and long, wide.
“At the moment it’s wishful thinking but that is definitely what we need, to make it more agile and probably a bit more fun.
“Safety added a lot of weight, which of course, is good but I’m sure that we can do things a little bit differently. It depends on the regulations that you write.”
Taking to X after seeing the quotes, Chandhok simply replied: “He’s right.”
Teams face a plethora of challenges over the coming months to try and prepare for 2026 and reaching the new minimum weight is something Bernie Collins thinks is going to be impossible for some.
More nimble cars would make racing more exciting but the FIA also want to concentrate on sustainability in the next ruleset and combining both of those things appears to be a step too far at this stage.
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