Esteban Ocon likened the difference between the ground effect generation of cars and those set to be introduced for F1 2026 to like jumping into a rally car.<\/p>\n
F1 is set to undergo a radical rule change for the coming season with dramatic new chassis and power unit regulations.<\/p>\n
New rules set to offer all-new driving challenge<\/p>\n
For 2026, F1 will introduce moveable aerodynamics alongside increasing the use of electrical energy from the power unit.<\/p>\n
It promises to see a rise in straight-line speed, though with an expected drop in cornering speed.<\/p>\n
That will be complemented by a different style of racing, with energy management predicted to play a far more significant role.<\/p>\n
Such a significant change in the shape of the on-track action has generated strong opinions from the drivers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s like if you jump from an F1 car to a rally car next year, pretty much, it\u2019s that different,\u201d he told PlanetF1.com and other accredited media.<\/p>\n
The concept for F1 2026 is to move away from ground effects, a style of car that generated much of its downforce via the floor and created a harsh ride for drivers.<\/p>\n
Want more PlanetF1.com coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google<\/a> to your favourites list for news you can trust.<\/p>\n Exactly what the on-track action looks like this season remains an unknown; teams are at different stages with their own simulations, which is done in isolation from their rivals.<\/p>\n It affords only a single perspective, and not necessarily a truly representative image of what the final product will be.<\/p>\n What is likely is that the disparity between teams will increase.<\/p>\n Where the pack had condensed under the previous generation of rules, an all-new ruleset across both chassis and power unit affords the opportunity for teams to find strong early advantages.<\/p>\n However, it\u2019s also likely any such discoveries will quickly be made by their rivals, while the pack will take time understanding the nuances of their new machines.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are going to be much bigger issues than that, I think, to tackle initially,\u201d said Ocon, referencing a braking issue he struggled with in the latter stages of F1 2025.<\/p>\n It was a hindrance that was punished because of how close the pack is, the sort of marginal gain that is likely to be less impactful, at least initially, in F1 2026.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re going to have a lot of testing, but a lot of new things to learn,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n For Ocon and his Haas teammate, Oliver Bearman, the instruction was also to focus initially on 2025 \u2013 worry about the coming campaign once the season was over.<\/p>\n While Haas is working with Toyota to build its own simulator, for the moment it uses Ferrari\u2019s in Maranello.<\/p>\n However, the introduction from team boss Ayao Komatsu was not to get too hung up on F1 2026.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s why me and Ollie, we have, at the moment, very limited data,\u201d Ocon explained.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen they have a technical direction that they want, we have a meeting for it, but it has been very limited and they want to really has to focus on what we have to do [in 20205].\u201d<\/p>\n Haas secured eighth in the Constructors\u2019 Championship, nine points clear of Sauber, 10 shy of Aston Martin, and only 13 away from Racing Bulls in sixth.<\/p>\n In the midst of such a battle, one worth tens of millions in prize money, it was a prudent move.<\/p>\n Post-season, time was spent on the simulator assessing the F1 2026 car more seriously.<\/p>\n More on the all-new regulations for F1 2026<\/p>\n F1 2026 tech analysed: The future of overtaking and biggest car advantage identified<\/a><\/p>\n F1 2025 vs F1 2026: Nine key questions ahead of massive regulation changes<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s been the team\u2019s decision,\u201d Ocon said. \u201cThat\u2019s been Ayao\u2019s decision for us to do.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen the team needs us to have a technical direction, they ask us, but I trust what they want to do.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s the right decision.\u201d<\/p>\n F1 testing begins later this month, with five days of running in Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya \u2013 during which teams are able to run on any three.<\/p>\n The circus will then travel to Bahrain, for six further days of testing before the opening round of the year, the Australian Grand Prix, on March 6-8.<\/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 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