Ben Sulayem begins second FIA term as 2026 Formula 1 reset accelerates

With the 2025 season only just concluded, attention has already shifted to what the FIA describes as the biggest reset the sport has seen in decades.

The 2026 regulations target every major area of car design with the stated aim of producing racing that is more competitive, more sustainable and safer.

“This marks a defining moment for the Formula One World Championship,” said Ben Sulayem. “The new regulations are the result of a huge amount of effort and dedication towards strengthening the Championship for the next decade and beyond.”

Central to the technical reset is the Nimble Car Concept, which seeks to reverse the trend towards ever larger and heavier cars.

The 2026 cars will be 30 kilograms lighter, with a target minimum mass of 724kg including tyres. Wheelbase is reduced by 200mm to 3400mm, overall width by 100mm and floor width by 150mm, all aimed at delivering smaller, lighter and more agile cars.

Active aerodynamics represents one of the most visible changes. The Drag Reduction System will be removed after 15 seasons, replaced by moveable front and rear wings that allow drivers to switch between two aerodynamic modes.

Unlike DRS, which primarily aided overtaking, the new system is designed to reduce drag on straights to improve energy efficiency, a key requirement for the 2026 power units with their much higher electrical reliance.

Overtaking support will instead come from a new Overtake Mode. When running within one second of a car ahead at designated activation points, drivers will be able to deploy an additional 0.5MJ of electrical energy to assist a passing attempt.

The 2026 regulations also introduce a redesigned power unit. Retaining the 1.6 litre hybrid architecture, the new units will feature a 300 percent increase in battery power and an even split between internal combustion and electric output.

Alongside existing suppliers, Audi will enter Formula 1 for the first time, while Honda will return fully in partnership with Aston Martin. Ford will join the grid through its support of Red Bull Powertrains, supplying Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls.

The regulations also open the door to a new constructor, with Cadillac set to become Formula 1’s first wholly new entrant since 2016 when it makes its debut at the season opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

Sustainability is a further pillar of the reset, with all cars running on advanced sustainable fuels from 2026. Safety developments include revised front impact structures, increased side intrusion protection and higher roll hoop load requirements, rising from 16G to 20G, as the FIA continues its long term push to improve driver protection.

As Ben Sulayem enters his second term, the FIA is positioning the 2026 regulations as the foundation for the sport’s next era, combining technical innovation, sustainability and safety in what it believes will be a more compelling Formula 1 for the decade ahead.