McLaren CEO Zak Brown has revealed that he is concerned about the upcoming F1 regulatory change in 2026.
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In 2026, F1 will see regulatory changes set to impact the cars’ power units. McLaren CEO Zak Brown has revealed that he is concerned about what these changes could mean for F1.
While Red Bull were advantaged thanks to their understanding of the previous change in 2022, the 2024 F1 season has seen the gap between the top teams even out. This year thus far we have had six race winners: Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz, Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, George Russell, and Lewis Hamilton.
With countless races still left on the calendar, there is plenty of opportunity for more drivers to add their names to that list. This includes Brown’s second driver Oscar Piastri. A strategy mishap in Silverstone saw Piastri and Norris lose out on what could have been the team’s second win of the season.
Brown Concerned About F1 Changes
Speaking to the media recently about this increase in competition and the regulatory changes that loom, Brown said,“[There is] a little bit of concern that it will bring that out of balance.”
“But I think F1 has always been about developing technology.
“These rules have been in place for the usual terms so I think we have to stay true to what F1 is, and hope that the regulations that the FIA are coming up with, because they’re still being massaged, get everyone closer together from the word go.“
Spec-Series
He also suggested that F1 could become a spec-series if it does not continue to alter its regulations after a four-year period.
“There is risk there, but then the problem becomes, if you delay them, it will just get closer and closer,” he said.
“At some point, you’ve got to stay true to F1 and go ‘right, ruleset change’.
“That is something that race fans love about F1, is that it’s a constructors’ championship as much as there’s a drivers’ championship, otherwise you run the risk of becoming IndyCar.
“There’s nothing wrong with IndyCar but IndyCar is spec racing for the most part, F1 is about constructors.”
With McLaren beginning to cause trouble for Red Bull in the Constructors Championship with a car that could spur further problems for current champion Max Verstappen, it is no wonder Brown fears the changes.
Mercedes’ domination period lasted until 2022 when they misunderstood the new regulations. It has taken them three seasons to discover the results the German team desires with the W15. Brown clearly does not want to venture down that path, especially when they are so close to the glory they have been denied of for a long time.
Feature Image: McLaren F1
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