In the quest for the ultimate racing experience, Formula 1 leaders are advocating for a lighter breed of grand prix cars in the forthcoming era of regulations. There is mounting apprehension that the current weight gains have spiralled beyond reasonable limits.
In the quest to meet the FIA’s minimum weight requirements, Formula 1 teams have resorted to various measures, including opting to strip off livery designs. This strategic approach has emerged as one of the methods employed by teams to achieve the desired weight threshold.
Earlier this year, Grand Prix Drivers’ Association and Mercedes driver George Russell expressed his thoughts on the matter of weighty cars, highlighting a growing apprehension regarding safety implications.
“The weight is extraordinary. At the moment, the low-speed performance is not great.
“We keep making these cars safer and safer, but obviously the heavier you make them, when you have an impact it’s like crashing with a bus compared to a Smart Car.
“You’re going to have a greater impact if you’re going the same speed with a car that weighs 800-odd-kgs or over 900kgs at the start of a race, compared to one 15 years ago when they were at 650kg.
“And I’m sure there’s analysis going on about striking that right balance because I don’t know where the line is drawn.
“If you just keep making it heavier, heavier, heavier, stronger, stronger, stronger – actually you get to a point where you cross over that [line] that too heavy is actually not safer.”
While Formula 1’s engine regulations for 2026 have been firmly established, the chassis rules remain open for discussion as series leaders contemplate the direction they wish to pursue.
However, there is one crucial aspect on which both F1 and the FIA concur: the need to shed weight from the cars that have become bulkier than ever before.
In the current season, the minimum weight of the cars has been set at 798 kilograms, surpassing their weight from 2008 by over 200 kilograms. This increase is primarily attributed to the introduction of batteries, energy recovery systems, and cutting-edge safety measures.
Efforts are now being devoted to crafting a future where the cars regain their agility and nimbleness, ensuring a thrilling spectacle for both drivers and fans alike.
The introduction of turbo hybrid engines in 2014 brought about a significant change in Formula 1, with an accompanying increase in the minimum weight to 691 kilograms. Subsequent enhancements in safety, such as the implementation of the Halo and improved structural measures, pushed the weight further up to approximately 740 kilograms by 2019.
However, the arrival of the new ground effects cars in 2022, featuring larger wheels and revised aerodynamics, triggered a remarkable leap to the current weight threshold of 798 kilograms.
As Formula 1 gears up for its next rules cycle in 2026, which will witness the advent of new power unit regulations, both the FIA and the commercial rights holder of F1 perceive this as an opportune moment for change. They envision an opportunity to reshape the sport and explore avenues for transformation.
In an interview with Motorsport.com on this matter, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem revealed his expectations for future F1 cars, he said: “One thing I would like to see is very clear: we need a lighter car.
“I believe this is better. I come from motorsport, where lighter cars are safer and they won’t use the same amount of fuel.
“It will be hard to achieve, but everybody wants it. So I am pushing because I come from rallying, where nothing is worse than having a heavy car.”
Addressing an imminent discussion on the 2026 rules, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali emphasized the importance of prioritizing the topic of car weight. Recognizing the significance of the matter, he called for it to be placed at the forefront of the agenda.
“One of the points that has always been a debate has been the weight,” he said. “As you know, with the hybrid engines, with the batteries, the weight is getting higher and that is something that is not really in the nature of F1. So, it’s a topic for discussion for the future.”
The consensus reached by Ben Sulayem and Domenicali regarding the need for Formula 1 to address the matter of car weight will undoubtedly be received with enthusiasm by the drivers. Their collective recognition of this long-standing concern brings a glimmer of hope to those who have consistently voiced their grievances on the subject.
