Formula 1’s Chief Technical Officer, Pat Symonds, has expressed the series’ desire to decrease the downforce on the cars for the upcoming technical regulations in 2026. The regulations for the power unit in 2026 have already been finalized. The 1.6 litre V6 turbo internal combustion engine (ICE) will be fueled entirely by sustainable fuel, with a greater emphasis on hybridization. Plans to increase electrical power output through the MGU-K system will result in a more balanced power split between the ICE and electrical components. Symonds stated in an interview with F1’s Beyond the Grid podcast that the goal is to have over 1,000 horsepower in the ’26 car, with a significant portion of it coming from the electric motor.
Symonds is also eager to reduce the downforce on the next generation of F1 cars, as well as decrease their weight and size. He explained, “We want to decrease the downforce on the car. The current cars are excessively heavy due to the amount of load they have to handle, resulting in reduced maneuverability.” Critics argue that the current weight and size of the cars contribute to poor racing and hinder overtaking opportunities. The minimum weight of the current cars is nearly 800kg, significantly higher than the 620kg weight when refueling was banned in 2010, and the 690kg weight in 2014 when hybrid power units were introduced. Additionally, the current cars measure approximately 5.63m in length and 2m in width. This is approximately one meter longer than the last refueling F1 cars in 2009 and 0.6m longer than the early hybrid F1 cars from 2014 to 2016.
Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA Single Seater Director, stated last year that the goal is to reduce the weight of the cars by 50kg and hopes to see smaller single-seaters in the future. The aim is to have shorter and narrower cars. Theoretically, smaller and lighter cars will enhance overtaking opportunities. Symonds also believes that reducing aerodynamics and increasing power will place more emphasis on the drivers’ skills. Some argue that the current generation of high downforce ground effect F1 cars are too easy to drive. Former team owner Eddie Jordan expressed this view on the Formula for Success podcast, citing F2 star Ollie Bearman’s impressive but unexpected F1 debut as evidence. Jordan stated, “It suggests to me that the cars are too easy to drive compared to how they used to be.” Symonds believes that the next generation of cars will be more challenging to drive, allowing the drivers to shine.
He emphasized, “This is crucial. We want to promote the drivers as the heroes, the supermen of the sport. So, I believe we are moving in the right direction.”