Waché expresses concerns about FIA regulations: 'That doesn't make sense'

2025 is the last year of racing with the current technical regulations. Once the 2026 Formula 1 season begins, everything will be turned upside down, forcing teams to start from scratch again. Red Bull technical director Pierre Waché is happy with the progress on their 2026 challenger, but still sees room for improvement.

2026 will see a complete overhaul of the technical regulations. As a result, teams face an interesting challenge next year: finding the balance between continuing to develop the 2025 car and developing the 2026 car.

With the new regulations, we get a smaller chassis, active aerodynamics and a more sustainable engine. In addition, the powerplant will run on fully sustainable fuel.

Where teams had considerable design freedom in the past, this is no longer the case. Indeed, more and more regulations are being added, making it harder for engineers to come up with innovative solutions to problems. For 2026, however, the FIA has decided to loosen the reins slightly, allowing a bit more leeway.

"It has been improved, quite a lot improved," Waché told Motorsport.com. "The combination of chassis and engine just remains hugely challenging in terms of characteristics, but that's the same for everyone."

The Technical Director is not sure whether the combination of the two will work well, but chooses to focus on making the most of the regulations in front of them. He said: "It is also too late now to discuss that. Even if the speed profile and experiences for the drivers are not what we would like to see from Formula 1, it is purely our job to build the fastest package. As a result, I no longer focus on what I personally think of the new rules."

New engine regulations do not fit in

"In my view, it does not make sense to come up with an engine that cannot work in the current cars." However, it is not entirely surprising that this has happened. Indeed, in an attempt to attract new engine suppliers towards the sport, the FIA has focused on the engine regulations. After all, engines take much more time to develop.

The aerodynamics and other mechanical regulations were then subsequently amended, some may say as an afterthought. As a result, the two do not fit well together. Waché would therefore have preferred things to be different.

Still, the Technical Director is keen to make something beautiful out of it. "I think it can still be a good show," he says. He adds that it is also not up to him to ensure that everything in the sport gets better, and that he is operating purely from Red Bull Racing 's perspective and that is where his priority lies. "I just have to do my job myself to the best of my ability and make sure that the people in the team can work to the best of their ability to ultimately deliver the best car. That is the only thing I get paid for."

This article was written in collaboration with James Fiorucci.

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