Motorsport’s governing body, the Federation International Automobile (FIA), released proposed rules for the 2026 F1 season on Thursday.
On Friday ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, several team principals had the opportunity to give their opinions on potential rule changes.
During the FIA press conference, James Vowles, Mike Clack, Andrea Stella and Ayao Komatsu were asked for their thoughts on the upcoming new regulations. The four representatives praised the efforts made so far and the direction the FIA is trying to steer the sport, but also expressed some concerns about how the new rules will affect the drivers and the sport itself.
“For our part, McLaren agrees and supports the high level intent and goals set out in the press release,” McLaren team principal Stella said, “but looking at the draft rules that have been circulated, we are still a long way from achieving the agreed aims and intent. So now is the time for the FIA, F1 and the teams to work together, listen to each other and contribute to shaping a solution that will enable the sport to achieve those aims.”
“If we can achieve these goals, I think F1 will be in good shape, but in execution we need to make sure we actually deliver a product that meets these goals and objectives.”
Williams boss Vowles outlined his concerns about aerodynamics before explaining how stakeholders are working together to deliver the best possible rules.
“I would just add that there are probably two different concerns at the moment. Firstly, the aerodynamics – the freedom and how fast the car can be physically – and the second aspect is the weight issue,” Vowles said on Friday. “I said very loudly a few weeks ago, from a Williams point of view, I don’t think anyone in particular can hit that weight target. It’s going to be very difficult and I think it needs to be revisited, because it’s not fun to spend your life chasing marginal gains and trying to make the car lighter.
“On the second point, I completely agree with my colleagues here that if we work together, and if we work on this going forward, we can be in a really good position. This is a solid foundation to work from, but we need to work out some aspects.”
Both Stella and Vowles said that what they have seen so far with the new regulations, at least in the simulator, could mean slower cars from 2026.
“Well, at the moment, the proposed car regulations mean that the cars are not fast enough in the corners and are too fast on the straights. I can’t call it a proposal yet because there is still a lot to be done,” Stella said. “So we need to rebalance those two aspects.”
Vowles went a step further, sharing his concern that under the currently proposed regulations, F1 cars may not be much faster than F2 cars.
“In simulation, yes. So to answer your second question first, I would say that for me it’s imperative that we remain the top series in motorsport,” Vowles began. “That’s how I see it. We’re at the top of the field, so as a result of that we need to make sure that we maintain the performance and the speed that we have. And now, as I think Andrea summed it up nicely, there’s a fundamental discrepancy there. The difference in performance with an F2 car might be just a few seconds, and that gap is starting to close a little bit, especially compared to the other series around the world that you named.”
Vowles continued to explain how much could change in terms of regulations in the coming weeks.
“But as Andrea said, these are still draft regulations, and in fact there have been two changes this week that reduce downforce quite a bit,” Vowles added. “I’m confident that we can find a better solution in that respect. We’re not far off yet, we just need a bit more work.”
Haas F1 team boss Komatsu is concerned about whether the proposed rules give teams enough “design freedom”.
“Also, the freedom of design, especially in terms of aerodynamics. I’m not sure that the proposed regulations at the moment strike that balance in terms of how they’re prescribed,” Komatsu said. “So, again, it’s important how we present ourselves as the pinnacle of motorsport, and to have some freedom in terms of engineering, or maybe a little more freedom in terms of aerodynamics. So to really embody the pinnacle, we need to look at a number of different aspects.” [of] “Motorsports”
Aston Martin boss Clack expressed concern that some of the proposed rules, which include a host of new terms such as X-mode and Z-mode, could turn some fans off in F1.
“Well, I think there’s too much engineering jargon – Z-mode, X-mode, energy management – and in terms of complexity I think the focus needs to be on the product and the fans, the spectators,” Clack said. “I’m a bit scared that in 2026 we’ll have press conferences and interviews with drivers that are all about technical stuff that a lot of people won’t understand and will lose interest.
“So I think that’s something you really need to be mindful of. If different tracks have different energy management or car constraints that cause one car to go forward and the other to go backward, how do you account for that? So I think that’s something you really need to keep in mind.”
But all four team principals insisted there was still work to be done, and all four seemed confident officials would be able to work out the appropriate rules in the coming weeks.
“I think we are still far from a final conclusion, and I think what is required now is for all stakeholders to discuss in a constructive way and address any issues that may arise, rather than trying to use the media to present something,” Kluck summarized. “So, I think that in the coming weeks and months, at the TAC level, we will be able to resolve all the issues that are still outstanding.”
