Horner fearful for 2026: "The first time in 50 years that the car and the engine have been modified simultaneously"

In less than a year, the Formula 1 will experience a real revolution, perhaps the biggest in its history. In 2026, everything will change: new aerodynamics, revised and more electrified engines (removal of the MGU-H, increased electric power), new tires... in short, next year's single-seaters will not really look like those of this season. And this real technical upheaval comes with its share of worries.

Since the presentation of the 2026 regulations in the summer of 2024, Several voices have expressed their fears concerning the dangerousness of single-seaters, their pace, their efficiency but above all, on the possible disparity between the performances of each team. If the FIA ​​has responded to the first concerns cited by revising certain texts of its 2026 regulations, the last subject raised is still at the center of concerns.

A 2026 regulation “ which arouses a little apprehension" according to Horner

For many players in the industry, the main risk is to end up with an ultra-dominant engine manufacturer who would maintain his lead over several seasons, like Mercedes at the start of the hybrid era in 2014. Last January, Adrian Newey had expressed his concern to see a team or an engine manufacturer dominate the debates with the introduction of the new technical regulations in 2026. A concern that is also shared by Christian Horner. The Team Principal of Red Bull fears very significant gaps between the teams next season because of this technical revolution of unprecedented scale.

“This season is going to be very, very competitive, which is very, very exciting. I think what is causing a bit of apprehension is that we have a big regulation change for 2026. It’s the first time in 50 years that the car and the engine have been changed simultaneously, underlines the British leader in an interview with TalkSport. And inevitably there will be a divergence in performance at that point. It is very important that the FIA ​​and the commercial rights holder (FOM) ensure that the boundaries of that situation are respected and that [teams] have the ability to quickly come back.”

The 2026 season will also be one of all dangers for Red Bull: the Austrian team will change engine supplier and will partner with Ford. If the Milton Keynes team is not there in 2026, it could lose its star driver, the four-time world champion Max Verstappen. With the departure of Adrian Newey to Aston Martin and the not very warm relations between the Verstappen clan and Christian Horner, Red Bull could tear itself apart next year if the performances are not convincing.

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