2026 Aerodynamic & Chassis Regulations

[Tommy Cookers]

As I understand it, there will designated and electronically activated "active aero zones".

ok news to me - but it sounds like a plan
yes aero balance will need to be a priority (same as aviation)

how is this impossible ?
each corner already has its specific (driver-activated) settings ie brake balance, diff, (even regen) etc
active aero status is just another driver-learned driver-activated yes/no item specific to each corner of the lap
it will be simply a learned item for that corner just as steer left or steer right is a learned item for that corner

[Apexseal157]

As I understand it, there will designated and electronically activated "active aero zones".

ok news to me - but it sounds like a plan
yes aero balance will need to be a priority (same as aviation)

how is this impossible ?
each corner already has its specific (driver-activated) settings ie brake balance, diff, (even regen) etc
active aero status is just another driver-learned driver-activated yes/no item specific to each corner of the lap
it will be simply a learned item for that corner just as steer left or steer right is a learned item for that corner

how is what impossible? Nobody said anything about the feasiblity, I'm sure it is technically possible but it will be a horrible experiance for the drivers and I didn't think the aero isn't activated by the drivers, I still don't know if it's just supposed to be on/off like current DRS or dynamic but either way I think its the teams who set up the downforce for each zone/corner not the driver. And god forbid it is driver activated, imagine Lance Stroll has the ability to halve his car's downforce at the press of a button , every driver would fear for their lives.

[FW17]

They do not want active aero with multiple different settings so that it still a best aero compromise challenge for the teams, just as the suspension.

The new DRS will be like the unlimited DRS seen in qualifying when it was in 2012, being used in every straight to boost the top speed. Maybe automatic or driver activated as some drivers would prefer to activate the system later down the straight fir better traction or to protect the tyres.

[Stu]

I’ve been giving this a bit of thought and have (what I think is) an interesting solution.
A physical car aero set-up to minimise drag level, that provides enough downforce for stability at speed with ‘just adequate’ trim devices at each end of the car (think Indycar Superspeedway wings) - single element devices only.
A regulated powered extraction device for the underfloor (electric fan), driven from the ES; which can be switched off above a given speed (driver controlled).
The driver control side is very important; they could use it to either increase cornering performance OR straight line speed, it’s use being controlled using the same regulations as now with the electric drive.

Two benefits as I see it.
Cars are intrinsically low drag (so reduced fuel mass required).
Downforce becomes something to be strategically deployed as power used for the creation of cornering power comes from the same supply as that used to propel the car electrically.
The third benefit is no more need for DRS!!

[wuzak]

The third benefit is no more need for DRS!!

No need for DRS with the PU override mode.

[Zynerji]

With all of these rumors of teams offering Newey 100M$ for 2026, let me make a counter offer...

Liberty/FIA hire Newey for 100M$, delay the regs until 2027 and he designs the "base chassis" for the new cycle. Then each team can modify/develop independently before building for the season.

Imagine a 5 year formula that everyone actually starts close and develop like their lives depend on it.

[cplchanb]

With all of these rumors of teams offering Newey 100M$ for 2026, let me make a counter offer...

Liberty/FIA hire Newey for 100M$, delay the regs until 2027 and he designs the "base chassis" for the new cycle. Then each team can modify/develop independently before building for the season.

Imagine a 5 year formula that everyone actually starts close and develop like their lives depend on it.

sorry but thats a spec series. the best thing that can happen for F1 is for newey to retire or head to FOM as tech head but for him to design a car to copy is not for F1.

[Hoffman900]

With all of these rumors of teams offering Newey 100M$ for 2026, let me make a counter offer...

Liberty/FIA hire Newey for 100M$, delay the regs until 2027 and he designs the "base chassis" for the new cycle. Then each team can modify/develop independently before building for the season.

Imagine a 5 year formula that everyone actually starts close and develop like their lives depend on it.

sorry but thats a spec series. the best thing that can happen for F1 is for newey to retire or head to FOM as tech head but for him to design a car to copy is not for F1.

If you looked at the F1 rules, you’d see we’re 98% of the way there. In fact, the PU’s and aero of the cars now only exist because of the rules. Open up the rule set and the cars look much different as would the PUs.

Just look at it… https://www.racecar-engineering.com/art ... gulations/

On the PU side everything from bore size to bore spacing, etc is spec’ed. Most of the difference is just detail stuff and packaging.

[FW17]

2026 chassis rules are likely to be announced at this weekends Canadian GP

[mzso]

I shudder in advance.

[bananapeel23]

2026 really looks like it’s going to be a complete disaster.

Sub-600HP engines, narrow chassis and huge downforce cuts, while the cars lose only a few dozen kg. They’re legitimately going to be like 10 seconds a lap slower at tracks like Spa. It’s ridiculous that these regulations were pushed through.

Pick a small, heavy, low-downforce chassis OR a weak engine. Not both.

[FW17]

2026 really looks like it’s going to be a complete disaster.

Sub-600HP engines, narrow chassis and huge downforce cuts, while the cars lose only a few dozen kg. They’re legitimately going to be like 10 seconds a lap slower at tracks like Spa. It’s ridiculous that these regulations were pushed through.

Pick a small, heavy, low-downforce chassis OR a weak engine. Not both.

I am not sure there is going to be any weight loss

Only thing I can hope for is that the DRS is activated all through the lap and not only on 1 or 2 straights as is currently

[organic]

According to rumours on twitter the regulations are moving away from venturi tunnels and back to flat floors with a rear floor edge similar to 2021.

I believe the regs will be released tomorrow so we will see for certain.

[Luscion]

[bananapeel23]

According to rumours on twitter the regulations are moving away from venturi tunnels and back to flat floors with a rear floor edge similar to 2021.

I believe the regs will be released tomorrow so we will see for certain.

I’m not buying it. Really everything up until those rumoura has been pointing to a shrunk version of the 2022 regulations with some active aero. 190cm wide and some 50cm shorter, perhaps 30kg lighter.

I guess there is incentive to move away from ground effect due to bouncing, but no 550-600 horsepower car is going to be able to cope with the massive aerodynamic inefficiency of the 2010s era cars without sacrificing like 10 seconds on the current ones due to downforce cuts to maintain sensible top speed.

On the other hand, a shrunk 2022 type car would be nearly indistinguishable from the current F2 cars in terms of dimensions and appearance, but with even weaker engines.

The only option for clawing back enough performance to not become almost as slow as F2 would be ground effect+active aero+return of more sophisticated suspension. (At least 2020-level, maybe even active suspension)

Still, my guess is that the 2026 season will be a disaster and that the energy flow rate will be quickly upped to near-2014 levels, thus making the aero and chassis regulations actually workable and really cool.