Before 2026, several problems persist for F1 teams

The 2025 season is only just beginning, but the 2026 season is already at the forefront of discussions and discussions. First presented in 2022, the new power unit regulations are shaping up to be the major game-changer of the upcoming off-season. Yet, despite an announcement several years ago and extensive work by each engine manufacturer, the uncertainty remains less than a year away from their introduction.

Once considered as a pure and simple replacement for the hybrid V6 engine presented for the coming season, the V10 will ultimately not make its return, at least not before 2029. Mercedes, the most advanced engine manufacturer according to many concordant sources, but also Audi and Honda, linking their arrival in F1 to this new regulation, opposed a shake-up of what had been established for a long time.

Now is the time for negotiation. To avoid unspectacular processions, but also to avoid moments of energy recovery forcing drivers to slow down excessively, the regulations governing engine production from 2026 are still subject to change. Interviewed at a press conference last Thursday, Andrea Stella, team principal McLaren, and James Vowles, his counterpart at Williams, expressed their reservations.

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Beyond engines, several new challenges for F1 teams in 2026

Both powered by Mercedes, McLaren and Williams still have their work cut out for them to develop a car in accordance with the regulations, to date, very different from those established since 2022. Among the crucial points, the cars will be smaller, and consequently, lighter. A real technical challenge explained by James Vowles.

“For us, the running looks pretty good right now. I think it will be very good from a spectator point of view. The wake is better, the tracking will be better – so I’m not too worried, reassured the Williams team director. What concerns me most is the weight target. It's a good idea to reduce weight, but it's a difficult decision for all teams. That's the only thing that stands out from our side."

Managing to contain all the elements necessary for the proper functioning of the next Williams while maintaining the weight reduction target set at a minimum of 768 kg compared to 800 kg this year, the task is clearly going to be difficult for the British.

A framework to be clarified for Andrea Stella and McLaren

Less tender than his counterpart, the Woking team's Team Principal was keen to address the doubts created by these numerous discussions surrounding a change in regulations. While necessary, dialogue must still allow the teams involved to work wholeheartedly just months before the deadline.

"We haven't even started 2026 and we're already talking about something else (the year of the introduction of the V10 discussed in Bahrain, Ed.). I would like to appeal to the sense of responsibility of all stakeholders, because we are here to protect the interests of sport. I would not want us to compromise what could be an effective regulation, alerted Andrea Stella. It may, however, require some tweaking and adjustments, and that's what we're here for."

“Let’s define the technical challenge exactly and solve it. In the same vein, the Italian called for unity among the teams involved, despite fierce competition throughout the year. Let's all work together for the sake of the sport, which is born when we have a good product. I think we can have a good product in 2026. We just have to work towards that."

To prevent the announced revolution from turning into chaos, the eleven teams competing on the grid from 2026 onwards have a few months left to set a course, in agreement with the FIA. Aside from the issue of engine power, which is at the heart of the news, the viability of the rules as a whole does not yet appear certain.

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