Formula 1 wants to make the 2026 cars smaller, lighter and less susceptible to drag in a push to continue making the on-track entertainment exciting.
This season witnessed the introduction of a brand-new car design, which has supposedly made cars more slippery and promotes better racing.
Whether it achieves this depends on how you judge ‘better racing.’
However, because Formula 1 is a business before it is a sport, series organisers continue to seek ‘improvements’ to the on-track show.
This means another design overhaul.
Thus, in 2026, F1 cars will have another redesign with six key themes in mind.
These are:
- Reduce drag even more. Active aerodynamics are being considered.
- Make car dimensions smaller.
- Make cars lighter.
- Make cars follow each other easier.
- Make cars safer.
- Make cars more sustainable and focus on recyclability,
The 2026 power unit will have similar, if not identical, performance stats to the current engine. However, electrical deployment will be increased by 50 per cent, and the engine will run solely off sustainable fuel.
Similarly, F1 will make the helmet camera compulsory from 2023 onwards.
The cameras depict what a driver sees and does in the cockpit. They have had a positive reaction from fans since it was trialed at last year’s Belgian Grand Prix.
The number of sprint races has increased to six for 2023.
F1 planned to have six sprint races this season. However, they decided against the idea because of financial implications.