McLaren team principal Andrea Stella explained recent
changes to the F1 2026 regulations have resulted in the future cars having
“much higher downforce” and “more freedom” over their designs.
Williams boss
James Vowles added these tweaks will be “good for the sport”, as the F1 2026
grid could shape up to feature different designs as well as cars which are
closer in performance to the current challengers.
F1 2026 car changes praised with two key achievements
highlighted
Recent regulation adjustments by the FIA have resulted in
an improvement in what was predicted by FIA single-seater director Nikolas
Tombazis to work out at two seconds per lap, bringing performance up to
something “very close to the current cars” based on early findings.
With all-new power units as well as a brand-new chassis
from 2026, these will be sweeping changes for which the teams have long been
anticipating, with work officially allowed to commence on their 2026 builds in
the new year.
Following recent tweaks to the regulations, however,
Stella said there is now more scope for design freedom for the teams, alongside
improved car performance.
“With the recent release of the car geometry, especially
from an aerodynamic point of view, basically two main things have been
achieved: One is a much higher downforce level and the second one is more
freedom,” Stella explained to reporters in Brazil.
“We welcome both. We welcome more freedom, I think this will
give teams the possibility to just use their knowledge, use their
methodologies, the knowledge that has been accrued over the years, even if with
different regulations, is a way of creating some differentiation.
“So we’ve always been advocating this kind of approach and
we welcome the fact that there will be more freedom.”
Vowles added the solution found between the teams and the
FIA is a “much better” one than what came before, praising the “really good
work done” by all involved to find a resolution quickly to help improve the
cars.
On the subject of designs, he said: “We now have more
freedom where you could see a different direction that you’re going in.
“So there’s more flow controlling devices in place, which
lead to downforce, but differentiation between teams.
“What’s been really positive as well is there’s still some
small areas of improvement around the diffuser.
“But again, what’s great to see is teams and the FIA working
hand in hand in order to improve that, because every time you make a change
like that, it has some consequences.
“But I think what you’re going to see now is instead of all
teams working in the same few millimetres, there’ll be some different concepts.
I personally think that is good for the sport.”
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