Is the 2026 Regulation going to achieve it goal?

[Nitrodaze]

Let's summarize the issues with the 2026 Regulation:-

1. Battery capacity may not sustain electrical power supply over a full lap at most circuits
2. Driver operations in the cockpit are said to be too complex
3. Race start may be tricky at most circuits, even with an extended starting time sequence
4. Front wing replacement may add a few more seconds to the typical pitstop
5. Safety threshold may have dropped due to points 1 to 3 above

All of these are typical of the inception period of any new regulations. The development war would certainly bring about better batteries with longer charge retention and lighter composition. Drivers would build muscle memory that would make those cockpit operations second nature before mid-season. However, the learning curve for new drivers entering the formula would be considerably steeper than at any other time in F1 history. As far as race start goes, every team would strip out their big turbo and put in Ferrari type turbos in a few races.

Therefore, what we are seeing are merely teething problems one would expect. But is the racing as dire as Verstappen is making out? I don't think so. Racing everywhere is changing due to the advancement of technology. The natural adoption of these technologies to enhance the tools of racing is essentially organic. Racing cars simply reflect the time it is in. And this regulation has done its job of sensibly adopting the technologies of this day and age.

The use of sustainable fuel is inevitable. F1 must demonstrate its awareness of global warming. The enjoyment of motor racing should not be at the expense of the well-being of our planet. ICE to EP parity is also inevitable, as this is the trend of current high-performance road cars. There would be challenges, but they would be easily overcome, as these are also real-world issues.

We like the lighter, more nimble cars. We like the improved sound of the cars. I think by the last quarter of this season, the teams will produce cars with speed comparable to last season. The gap from the fastest time at testing seems to be about 3 seconds off the fastest qualifying times of last season.

My personal verdict is that F1 and the FIA have got this regulation reasonably right.

[Steve Boyd]

The development war would certainly bring about better batteries with longer charge retention and lighter composition.

The battery capacity is limited to 9 MJ. Development might make them smaller and/or lighter but it won't make them last longer unless the energy limit is increased.

[Nitrodaze]

The battery capacity is limited to 9 MJ. Development might make them smaller and/or lighter but it won't make them last longer unless the energy limit is increased.

I think inherently, they are trying to reduce bulk by that limit. If the same battery dimensions can hold twice as much at the same weight, the FIA may allow an increase in the power limit. Currently, an increase in MegaJoules translates to an increase in size and weight.

Besides, a smaller, lighter battery producing 9MJ would decrease car weight and thus increase energy deployment range as a consequence. Probably not enough to solve the current problem.

[airshifter]

Battery weight, harvesting allowed per lap, and deployment per lap are all controlled by the regs. They aren't likely to just allow more energy stores when the regs intended to cause a reset in performance, along with reducing the chances of all out development wars on the battery front.


Going back to your points.

1. Battery stores were never intended to allow all out speeds at all circuits. It was known early in the reg changes that drivers would have to manage energy stores.

2. Placing more on a driver is a good thing in my opinion. The best will overcome it.

3. Agreed, but if it becomes an issue I suspect the FIA will allow changes.

4. Most teams have found solutions that make it just another front wing change, maybe very slightly different but no major hassle.

5. I see this mostly due to starts at this point, and as stated above I suspect the FIA will allow changes if it becomes a safety issue.


As for just swapping to different turbos, it can't happen without FIA approval due to the homologation process. The same for energy stores.



I think they have already shown to be meeting their desired goals. The fastest lap in testing was only a couple tenths slower than the fastest test lap in 2022, which was the last major changes. The cars are lighter and more nimble even with the smaller tires, and more importance has been placed on drivers being able to manage the energy stores better.