The FIA made clear that it wants to avoid unclear rules regarding the weight of the cars going into 2026, which will feature new regulations.
Today’s cars weigh 798kg, and many think that is too much for a Formula 1 car, considering older cars weigh a lot less. However, with the introduction of hybrid powertrains, which include batteries, and better safety measures like the Halo, it is normal that the cars got heavier.
Of course, the FIA has established a weight limit, but it has already happened that it had to be changed after some teams asked to do so to compensate for new car components.
FIA’s head of single-seater matters Nikolas Tombazis stated that the FIA wants to avoid exactly that in 2026. Even if the teams will be struggling to reach the weight limit, rules will not be changed.
“Clearly it will still be a challenge for the teams to achieve that low weight,” he said.
“They’re not going to have an easy ride there. But we are going to stick to the weight limit we’re going to impose, and we won’t be inflating upwards again.
“They [the teams] will just have to push harder to reduce the weight if they can’t make it.”
Moreover, there have also been discussions regarding the elimination of the weight limit as it would not compromise the safety of the drivers. However, Tombazis said that it would not be ideal for the sport.
“That has been discussed a few times, about whether we need the weight limit,” he said.
“But we believe that to get rid of it completely would be creating a never-ending battle of reducing the weight. That could have some unforeseen consequences.”
“So, what we’re putting for 2026 will be a weight limit which afterward will not change. Teams will have to work to that limit. And I think there could be some teams that are a bit overweight in 2026.”