Stefano Domenicali, the Formula 1 president and CEO, has suggested that the \u201cform book\u201d will be \u201cripped up\u201d with the arrival of the new F1 2026 regulations.<\/p>\n
Smaller, lighter cars, increased electrification and active aerodynamics are among the changes on the way. Domenicali is predicting constant change in the pecking order, with a \u201cfast and intense development race\u201d on the cards.<\/p>\n
Domenicali predicts evolving F1 2026 landscape<\/p>\n
The ground effect regulations which had been in place since 2022, and the engines since 2014, have bowed out of the sport. From F1 2026, there are wholesale changes on both fronts.<\/p>\n
The cars are due to become smaller and 30 kilograms lighter, and will utilise active aero on both wings. That means the Drag Reduction System [DRS] heads into retirement.<\/p>\n
As for the new engines, those will feature a 50\/50 split between electrical and internal combustion power. The increased electrification means that energy management is expected to become a critical performance factor.<\/p>\n
The internal combustion engine will operate on fully sustainable biofuel in a further intriguing change.<\/p>\n
Even the tyres will be different. The new Pirelli compounds will be 25 millimeters narrower at the front and 30mm at the rear.<\/p>\n
Such sweeping changes create opportunity. Will the teams which ended F1\u2019s previous era endure to remain on top, or, will the winds of change blow?<\/p>\n
Domenicali is expecting the latter, and not just at the start of F1 2026.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will see brand-new cars with revised power units, which run advanced sustainable fuels,\u201d Domenicali said of F1 2026 in a piece for the Formula 1 website.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe form book will be ripped up. The pecking order will be up in the air.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd at the end of the day, the track will show where all the teams stack up. I\u2019m pretty sure where you will rank in the first race, won\u2019t be where you rank at the end of the year, so fast and intense will be the development race.\u201d<\/p>\n
Key F1 2026 details via PlanetF1.com<\/p>\n
F1 2026: Confirmed teams and power unit suppliers for F1\u2019s huge regulation changes<\/a><\/p>\n F1 2026 driver line-up: What is the complete grid for the 2026 season?<\/a><\/p>\n The arrival of Audi and Cadillac represents further F1 2026 change, while a new venue joins the calendar.<\/p>\n The Madring street track in Madrid will take over as host of the Spanish Grand Prix.<\/p>\n It was also announced recently that the Portuguese Grand Prix at Portim\u00e3o will be back from 2027.<\/p>\n \u201cNext year we will have Madrid joining the family and we are discussing with other countries about joining, too,\u201d Domenicali noted. \u201cMany want to be part of our show.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are working hard to evolve the schedule so that it is the more sustainable, too, in terms of the flow of races.\u201d<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n