Mercedes' Simone Resta says 2026 F1 rules are now mature

Resta discussed the overhauled technical regulations that will mean new F1 cars that will feature active aerodynamics, while new power units will deliver power on a 50/50 split between the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and the electrical component. Sustainable fuels will be used.

However, there has been a lot of talk about issues with the new regulations, especially when it comes down to power-sensitive tracks, as there have been worries that the battery will run out of power before the cars reach the end of the straights.

That has brought about brief discussion suggesting the return of naturally aspirated V10 engines, which did not last long, and the FIA and Formula One Management pledged their commitment to the 2026 rules.

However, Resta, who joined Mercedes from Ferrari back in 2024, claims matters are now settled as teams are working with the FIA trying to iron out any issues as the 2026 deadline looms.

He said: "I think the FIA is very active at the moment in receiving indications from all the teams to close all the loopholes in the rules.

"I don't think there will be any surprises, the rules seem to be defined quite completely. I am sure that we will see very different projects to try to make a difference.

"The FIA seems to have managed to do a good job: it has put together a complete package of rules that leaves a lot of freedom for the teams to give their best.

"Now is the time to work and not to talk, it is time to make a difference," Resta maintained.

Adrian Newey, now Aston Martin's tech boss, also revealed recently that the new regulations offer freedom for F1 designers to come up with different solutions for the 2026 cars.

As for the issue with the power units running out of power on the straights, there has been a suggestion to reduce electrical power in race trim, making the ratio 60/40 to avoid this issue.

Resta, while acknowledging the issue, downplayed its effect and said: "Maybe there will be issues to understand based on the track where we will race, [but] on many tracks the problem will not be evident.

"We will probably see [the issue] at Monza, but there will already be some changes on the use of the power unit; therefore, honestly I don't think it will be a big issue. We will see."

Other than that, Resta revealed that teams are now well into the development process. He added: "The regulation has undergone a strong evolution, at the moment it has found stability.

"I think it is quite mature, even if there are continuous refinements on the aerodynamic side, small things that are defined, but fundamentally it is defined. And this is a positive thing.

"Since the beginning of January, all the teams have been able to do the development in the tunnel and in CFD, being able to see first-hand how these cars work: having started the development, we have started to recover the lost load.

"I think the 2026 regulations are now stable and if we add that the team technicians are starting to understand better how the cars work, we will find ourselves facing one of the biggest changes in the history of F1, because everything is coming in sync.

"There will be a completely new engine, without MGU-H but with sustainable fuels," Resta went on. "But there is not only this because new aerodynamics will be added, without ground effect, so we will go back.

"And then there will be new electronics, tyres that will become smaller and cars that will weigh 50kg less than the current cars. We will add new safety requirements, therefore modifications to the chassis panels for homologation.

"Consequently, it means that all the mechanics will also be revised, therefore new transmissions, modifications to the suspension, to the brakes, and active aerodynamics will debut.

"It is a bit like the perfect storm, everything will arrive at the same time, while in the past things have always been a bit out of phase.

"The challenge is very complex but it offers an opportunity, because there will be several possibilities to try to make a difference.

"Let's say that it will be a regulation that will put the teams in front of more risks of making mistakes than the current one," Resta concluded.