Better racing in 2026? Thanks to the FIA's openness to collaborate
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2026 will see F1's biggest regulation change the sport has ever seen. A monumental task for teams, sure, when it comes to designing and building the innovative cars However, it also proves equally challenging for the FIA, since they have to come up with regulations that teams can work around to produce the best racing possible, and this would certainly be difficult to achieve without the governing body's openness to collaborate with the teams, which bosses, James Vowles and Andrea Stella also appreciate.
How important was the FIA's willingness to cooperate with the teams?
In 2026 the intrinsec nature of the cars in relations with the 50-50 split hybrid and internal combustion power units highlights the complexity of the sets of regulations that will be implemented. Though particularly restrictive at first, the FIA by the Brazil Grand Prix had published a set of corrections to the regulations, after having discussing the proposed drafts with the teams. Williams Racing team boss welcomed the governing body's approach, citing the extra freedom the teams had in the revised draft.
"I think there was really good work done both by the FIA, but also the teams at the same time, in coming to a solution that I think is much better now. Where we're in a situation, there's more freedom to be able to explore those regulations. There's more performance that comes with it at the same time. I think it's a better balance of what we've achieved. And it's really good," said the British team boss.
"It really was a good reflection as to how all the teams came together with the FIA to produce those regulations as one. That's why it came together as quickly as it did," concluded Vowles.
Will the 2026 regulations reach their target?
McLaren team boss, Andrea Stella, also celebrated the FIA's willingness to collaborate, but also added his thoughts on the 2026 cars' performance on the simulations following the published changes to the regulations, ensuring good competition at the front, but also securing F1's stead as the king's class of motorsport.
"I think in terms of cornering speed, Now in simulation looks like much more convincing. That may still be offering good racing, may still be offering Formula 1 as the pinnacle of motorsport. So from this point of view, downforce level seems to be in a much better place. I think there's still a few weeks of work. And hopefully this will lead us to the target that will guarantee good racing and good overall speed like we all want to see for a Formula 1 car," concluded Stella.
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