F1 News
F1 bosses consider solution to Verstappen pain point: 'Everyone wants it'
- Toby McLuskie
Max Verstappen recently spoke out about the current generation of Formula 1 cars. The Red Bull Racing driver certainly sees improvements in tracking, but finds the cars' stiffness and weight a drawback. However, this may be about to improve, as F1 and the FIA have expressed plans to make the cars lighter in the future.
The engine regulations from 2026 are already fixed, but the rules for the chassis are still being worked on. One important point on which F1 and the FIA already agree at least is the weight of the cars. That has to come down, say Stefano Domenicali and Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
F1 bosses want lighter cars
Speaking to Motorsport.com, Ben Sulayem cites lower weight as one of the most important features the future generation of F1 cars must meet. "“I believe this is better. I come from motorsport, where lighter cars are safer and they won’t use the same amount of fuel. It will be hard to achieve, but everybody wants it. So I am pushing because I come from rallying, where nothing is worse than having a heavy car," said the FIA chief.
F1 boss Domenicali also sees that there is a lot of discussion about the weight of the cars. He too sees a challenge in reducing weight, partly due to the weight of batteries in the hybrid engines. According to Domenicali, heavy bolides are not in the nature of F1 so possible solutions need to be discussed.