Is it 2026 yet?? - Formula 1 New Regulations For 2026

Where do we even begin??? 300% more powerful battery? Active aero in both the rear and now the front wing (X mode) ??

On paper, this is what racing dreams are made of. Lighter, smaller, better aerodynamics, and more power (depending on how you look at it). But yes, the new FIA regulations have been announced and they look like the dream come true....if they work.

Just what feels like a short time ago, (but not really because we are into the third season of it), is today's current FIA regulation cars. The regulations came at us with reckless abandon, bigger wheels and tires, fenders on the front wheels (some call them eyebrows), a more sleek look, and the promise of closer racing. We more or less did get that, and I'd say the racing between the car in front and the car behind did get better as there is a definite reduction in the amount of dirty air. But there are many races still that end up in a DRS (Drag Reduction System) train that is hard to break. Will the new regulations help to avoid that? It's anyone's guess but they may be on to something.

So today's announcement FIA looks even better than the promise of yesteryear. The cars will be absolutely better handling, with the smaller width, shorter length, and lighter weight. The cars had grown in weight and size for the current generation, and it's good to see the FIA dialing back on that. If you've ever had the chance to stand next to a Formula 1 car, the sheer size of it makes your jaw drop. I got to see the Red Bull car up close a few times, and a few different editions of it. The length of those cars is what staggers me each time. You just don't realize how long they are unless you are up close. So a shorter, slightly narrower car is definitely going to feel more than ever like a weapon to these drivers.

Hopefully the active aero changes for both the front and the rear wings makes for more exciting racing, and maybe even put an end to the dreaded DRS train. There was talk some time ago about getting rid of the DRS entirely. But looks like they went completely the opposite direction in order to make for closer and more competitive races. As any race fan can attest, races with very little passing is a snooze fest if there ever was one. So between the aero, and the new more powerful battery, that drivers will be able to hit a button to tap into at any given time (as long as they are within a second to the car in front, but no need for being in the DRS zone) it will definitely make for a more entertaining race. That's more than welcomed in my book, and I bet in yours too.

For now it looks great on paper, hopefully it all works in reality. Just got to wait a couple of years...