Heading into the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, Mercedes driver, Lewis Hamilton, is worried about the new F1 regulations for 2026.
The new regulations were announced yesterday, with the FIA looking to create a more ‘nimble car.’ This was accompanied by a continued idea of sustainability within the sport with the hope of making the world’s most efficient engines.
Over the years, F1 cars have become wider and heavier. Drastic aerodynamic changes, like in the 2022 regulations, strived for better and closer racing. Hamilton is hoping that the new car for 2026 is the right move for Formula 1.
He said, “I mean, it’s only 30 kilos [lighter], so it’s going in the right direction, but it’s still heavy. I’ve only just seen what you’ve all seen this morning. I don’t really have huge thoughts on it just yet“
“I’ve spoken to some drivers who have driven it on the simulator – I haven’t – but they said it’s pretty slow”
He went on to acknowledge, “in terms of sustainability, particularly on the power unit side, I think that’s a really bold step and I think it’s going in the right direction. We’ve just go to make sure the cars are efficient, fast, and a natural step forward, and actually racing is improved.”
The hope for F1 fans and drivers is that the cars get quicker and quicker. Looking at Monza, the circuit known as ‘The Temple of Speed,’ the lap record is still held by Rubens Barrichello in 2004. A lap record does not include qualifying or practice.
An issue that often comes with new regulations is a runaway team. The 2021 season was one of the closest in years. Red Bull could finally bring a proper fight to Mercedes and took both Championship’s to the last race. That fight wasn’t able to continue into next year as the regulations changed and Red Bull and Max Verstappen ran away with the titles.
Now, after two years of Red Bull domination, other teams are catching him. Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz have been able to win a race this season. But, just when a true feeling of competition can be felt, a new list of regulations is released. A new chance for a runaway team. Hamilton believes there’s a chance 2026 could be different.
He admitted, “it’s difficult to say, but more often than not, when they’ve done the changes, some teams do better than the others, and there is a bit of a difference early on.
“I hope that with this new regulation change that everything’s a bit closer, and the engine’s not a complete revamp.”
Hamilton explained, “It’s not like moving from V8 to V6, so hopefully through that, that doesn’t make too big a difference, and then it’s just about getting the car’s right.”
The major concern has been around the ‘active aerodynamics’ aspect of the 2026 cars. With reports coming out earlier this year that the car was slower than an F2 car in simulations.
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