Any concerns that F1 will be significantly slower under the new regulations have been firmly shut down by the FIA\u2019s Nikolas Tombazis.<\/p>\n
F1 moves to vastly different power unit and chassis regulations next year, which have triggered unfounded fears of cars being much slower once they hit the track.<\/p>\n
Nikolas Tombazis shuts down slowdown fears<\/p>\n
It\u2019s just two months until the long-awaited regulations overhaul becomes reality, with the first test of the F1 2026 cars scheduled in Barcelona in late January.<\/p>\n
A new-generation hybrid power unit will see F1 increase its electrical power output to a near 50\/50 split with the internal combustion engine.<\/p>\n
The expected characteristics for these power units mean cars should barrel out of corners, with energy management systems ensuring a natural delivery of power down the straights to prevent the much-feared phenomena of drivers needing to back off or brake down the straights in order to regenerate electrical energy.<\/p>\n
On the aero front, cars will utilise active aerodynamics with innovative \u2018X-Mode\u2019 and \u2018Y-Mode\u2019 configurations designed to maximise downforce through the corners, while balancing that out with reducing drag down the straights.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a complex formula and not every driver has spoken favourably about the driving experience after their first forays in their team simulators, although it must be pointed out that such simulators have been constantly evolving as more and more information is learned and disseminated.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, Isack Hadjar suggested that the performance of the 2026 model in the sim is closer to F2 than the current F1 cars, with the feeder series cars over 10 seconds a lap slower at most venues than their F1 contemporaries.<\/p>\n
But Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA\u2019s single-seater director, has poured cold water on the suggestion of next year\u2019s F1 cars being significantly slower than the current generation.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think comments about Formula 2 pace are way off the mark,\u201d he said in the FIA press conference in Las Vegas on Thursday.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are talking about lap times, overall, which are in the region of one or two seconds off where we are now, depending on the track, depending on the conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tombazis explained that, given teams\u2019 natural development in finding more performance through a rules cycle, it makes sense that next year\u2019s cars will be somewhat slower than at present.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously, at the start of a cycle, it would be silly to be faster than the previous cycle,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would cost us nothing from a regulations point of view, it would be very easy to make the cars go faster. But one has to gradually claw back what is gained by natural development.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you can\u2019t start the cycle going faster than the previous one. Then, you know, in 20 years from now, you can imagine what would happen..!<\/p>\n
\u201cSo I think it\u2019s natural that the cars are a bit slower, but I don\u2019t think we are anywhere near the \u2018it\u2019s not a Formula 1\u2019 discussion in any way or shape.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking in a recent interview with PlanetF1.com, Tombazis spoke about the same topic, saying that negativity from drivers could be down to them stepping out of cars at the limit of the current regulations, into a simulated version of an early iteration of new regulations.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is natural that, if a driver gets out of one car and goes into a slightly slower car, he\u2019s not going to say, \u2018Wow, I\u2019m really happy here\u2019, in terms of comparison,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile we\u2019re getting closer to the season, running on the simulator with the cars close to the performance that they could have is quite recent. This process of refining the regulations is something that is still ongoing.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, the drivers sometimes have driven a particular condition, identified an issue in a particular way, which has now been resolved. So I think, on that basis, their comments are right in terms of factually right, but probably a bit premature, because you don\u2019t take into consideration the final product.\u201d<\/p>\n
More on the F1 2026 regulations<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49\u00a0Explained: The 2026 engine regulations set to seriously shake up Formula 1<\/a><\/p>\n