2026 F1 cars: why weight issue will force teams to make compromises with aerodynamics
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With the new regulations, reaching the minimum weight will be much more challenging: the competition will also focus on weight.
The issue of weight will return to the forefront. Reducing the weight of the cars was a priority in drafting the 2026 regulations, leading the Federation to impose a lower minimum weight than the current one. Achieving weight targets will be even more difficult for teams, especially considering that the power units will be even bulkier. The first team to reach the minimum weight is expected to enjoy a significant advantage.
The challenge
Currently, almost all teams meet the minimum weight set by the current regulations, pushing the issue of weight out of discussions. However, it remains one of the most impactful parameters on performance. On average, an extra 3 kg can cost about a tenth of a second per lap, a figure that varies depending on the track but represents a significant factor in modern Formula 1. At the debut of the 2022 regulations, several teams struggled to meet the minimum weight, a scenario that could repeat itself in 2026.
Andrea De Zordo, technical director of Haas, shared his thoughts on the upcoming regulations with FormulaPassion: “An important issue is weight: reaching the regulatory minimum will be much more challenging than today. It's likely that some cars will be overweight. When that happens, weight matters as much as aerodynamics.”
At present, precise figures are unavailable. The current version of the 2026 regulations sets a minimum weight that does not account for the tires, which are still being developed by Pirelli. However, the FIA and Formula 1 have stated their goal of reducing the cars’ weight by approximately 30 kg, even though the power unit alone will be 34 kg heavier, primarily due to the more powerful hybrid system. Teams will therefore need to reduce the remaining car weight by about 60 kg. The fact that cars will be shorter and narrower will help, with the wheelbase decreasing from 3.6 to 3.4 meters and the track width from 2 to 1.9 meters. Nonetheless, reaching the minimum weight will remain a very demanding task.
Evolving dynamics
According to Andrea De Zordo, the issue of weight will force teams to make compromises with aerodynamics, increasing the likelihood of seeing diverse concepts. This is a dynamic that already occurred with the 2022 regulations: “I wouldn't be surprised if the same happens in 2026, maybe not so much from a purely aerodynamic perspective, but in terms of compromises with weight and energy management,” reflects the Haas technical director.
Certainly, the first teams to reach the minimum weight will have a significant advantage, but as competitor cars become lighter over time, the hierarchy could shift quickly. This adds another reason why being competitive at the start of the championship does not guarantee maintaining that edge until the end.
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