FIA chief urges teams to 'push harder' over major rule change compliance
FIA chief urges teams to 'push harder' over major rule change compliance
Nikolas Tombazis has asserted that there will be no room for "haggling" or fluctuation over F1's 2026 rules in a bid to avoid cars becoming too bulky.
Critics argue that the current ground effect machines are burdened by excessive weight, given the current minimum limit of 798kg, which includes a baseline for drivers.
This is significantly higher than the 585kg of cars alone in 2008, mainly due to hybrid power units and upgraded safety measures.
The FIA aims to prevent the weight limit from rising further, planning to set a limit for the 2026 rules cycle and stick to it. They intend to reduce F1 car weight by 40 to 50 kilos in 2026 through smaller cars and wheels.
Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA’s head of single-seater matters, has stressed the commitment to maintaining the set weight limit, even if teams face challenges meeting it.
FIA won't shift on weight limit
“Clearly it will still be a challenge for the teams to achieve that low weight,” Tombazis said. “They're not going to have an easy ride there.
“But we are going to stick to the weight limit we're going to impose, and we won't be inflating upwards again.
“They [the teams] will just have to push harder to reduce the weight if they can't make it.”
Removing weight limit not ideal
In the ongoing discussions about the weight of Formula 1 cars, there have been suggestions that, given the current stringent crash test requirements, removing the minimum weight limit might not compromise safety.
However, Tombazis believes this approach is not ideal, as it could lead to a spending war among teams prioritising lightweight components.
“That has been discussed a few times, about whether we need the weight limit,” he added.
“But we believe that to get rid of it completely would be creating a never-ending battle of reducing the weight. That could have some unforeseen consequences.
“So, what we're putting for 2026 will be a weight limit which afterwards will not change.
“We will not be succumbing to this continuous sort of haggling for a couple of kilos, where the teams say, ‘you've added the electrical, let's add two kilos’, or the tyres are a bit heavier, let's add another few kilos and things like that. We won't be doing that.
“Teams will have to work to that limit. And I think there could be some teams that are a bit overweight in 2026.”
READ MORE: FIA boss DEMANDS change on major F1 issue
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 News Today: Incredible Verstappen exit clause reignites F1 rival talks as Mercedes milestone reveals shock RED livery
- 44 minutes ago
Horner outlines Ricciardo target to save F1 dream as major Newey announcement made - GPFans F1 Recap
- Yesterday 23:57
Mercedes reveal shock RED livery to celebrate historic milestone
- Yesterday 22:57
Ricciardo makes five-race admission in bid to survive F1 axe
- Yesterday 21:57
Red Bull is 'burning' after Horner and Marko display
- Yesterday 20:57
Red Bull announce strong statement over Newey departure claims
- Yesterday 19:57
Related news
FIA boss HITS OUT at 'court of public opinion' after interference allegations
FIA announce crucial top three UPDATE in China after investigating F1 star
FIA CANCEL important drivers' meeting after huge drama in China
Ecclestone's wife signs letter of SUPPORT for under-fire FIA president
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860